The House Industry, Business and Labor Committee convened on January 29, 2025, to discuss House Bill 1249, which proposes $750,000 in appropriations from the general fund to support autonomous technology grants across five state agencies. The agencies include the Attorney General's office, the Department of Career and Technical Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, and the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, which is proposed to replace the Department of Transportation in the bill.

Representative Jared Haggart introduced the bill, emphasizing its continuation of a successful program from the previous session that facilitated grants to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Career and Technical Education. This initiative has been instrumental in addressing invasive weed species in Eastern North Dakota, particularly through the use of drones and autonomous technology.

Frank Mattis, representing the UAS Council, supported the bill, highlighting the success of the VANTAS program in identifying invasive weed species across multiple counties. He noted that the program has allowed for collaboration between various educational institutions and industry partners, enhancing the state's ability to tackle agricultural challenges. Mattis underscored the importance of food security as a national security issue and advocated for the expansion of the program to other state agencies to improve operational efficiency.

The committee also heard from Samantha Bruner, the Plant Industries Division Director, who detailed the ongoing projects funded by previous grants. She explained how these funds are being utilized to develop systems for detecting and managing invasive weed species, which could lead to more effective agricultural practices.

The discussions highlighted the potential for autonomous technology to revolutionize agricultural practices in North Dakota, with representatives expressing optimism about the bill's ability to foster innovation and economic growth in the state. The committee is expected to deliberate further on the bill, with a focus on its implications for state agencies and the agricultural sector.