[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6357712,"mediaKeyId","2213786-c5fe258f26f810b74e29b28fa35dac07","parentId",2213786,"title","Appropriations committee details attorney general budget: victims advocates, crime-lab staff, PIO and litigation fund among priorities","audioSeconds",2760,"startMs",2400000,"endMs",5160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213786-c5fe258f26f810b74e29b28fa35dac07&start=2400&end=5160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213786-c5fe258f26f810b74e29b28fa35dac07/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357712/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-details-attorney-general-budget-victims-advocates-crime-lab-staff-PIO-and-litigation-fund-among-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357712-197049c4939aa867598f1582aae67d49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143702&Signature=RWFGgGjLv9nePvCcVJ2RHH0IiQ8LBiFqIYUkK1b6vehlujnvABg4k6BHmGfvtnSmEa8P0qzPMq8EFxYKEc1KISxc9F~z2WJzchpZF-jRXMKE2LYCoUcTsqL1yvVIRj2wpa1QxaP2u6Mk~0URrQoOF5TjyvdeYPuZGb4XRw-QxHz9rsop4ToEaQai9y0XQtzaXwuJbiirxwzWe5L7aN5k8LkTyUJxDQtoBwWDWaMm-Y6kFdkObEiYikVwP1YDcExHfgNMTQ9JL02n0fEPaqMulfBEc7sw420mqnK-EUtF09vf~ngdo5OtArzUiMXNR19YPKubJJOqD68iZXKxzt6maQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, ND","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division discussed and largely signed off on a package of changes to the attorney general’s budget, directing staff to include several targeted personnel and one‑time items on the committee long sheet.

Committee members agreed to advance a number of items the attorney general had requested or long-shot supplemental requests that were not in the governor’s budget. The panel directed staff to include at least one full‑time FTE for a victim‑witness advocate (committee noted a biennial cost of roughly $237,602 for a single FTE on the long sheet) and to add an executive staff officer/public information officer position (biennial cost cited about $195,432). Members also asked staff to include the crime‑lab evidence intake/technician position (about $189,393) among the prioritized FTEs, and to retain a tobacco settlement trust fund FTE item the AG had requested.

Levi (committee staff) walked the panel through ongoing funding adjustments: switches of salary funding from special funds/refund fund back to the general fund, funding for crime‑lab equipment and maintenance, and increased IT and software hosting costs. Committee members and staff noted that some previously counted capital items had already been purchased or were in operating leases, so certain one‑time requests were reduced accordingly.

The committee also discussed the AG’s litigation line. After hearing that the administration had asked for an increase to cover ongoing litigation needs, committee members agreed to start with $8 million in litigation contingency funding for the biennium and discussed an amendment to use excess charitable‑gaming revenue above a high‑end projection as a dedicated source for litigation expenses. Chairman Nathan instructed staff to work the gaming‑revenue amendment and present it as an option for the committee.

Members debated the BCI cybercrime items that had been discussed earlier in the day. Representative Hansen and others argued that administrative support positions—such as a cybercrime administrative assistant or an information processing administrator—might improve throughput and case turnaround as much as adding more agents. The attorney general testified he believed the agency’s budget reflected the assessed needs and emphasized that the BCI was deploying resources where needed; he also described a $100,000 request to retrofit secure forensic space as a separate priority.

Other one‑time items discussed included replacement vehicles on a rotation schedule, crime‑lab equipment and handheld radios. The committee placed human‑trafficking and victim grants on the long sheet and discussed whether to increase an existing line from $1.1 million by an added $650,000 as proposed in amendment discussions.

Committee members asked staff to update the long sheet and to prepare amendments for the full appropriations committee; several items were left as follow‑ups for more detail (FTE job descriptions, exact equipment line items and grant‑matching rules).

Provenance: the attorney general’s budget long sheet and testimony were discussed at length in the committee’s budget review; committee staff (Levi) and agency staff (Becky) provided line‑item explanations and cost figures. Ending: Staff will prepare an updated long sheet and draft amendments reflecting the committee’s directions for early next week.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Jan 31, 2025\t","oneSentenceSummary","The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division reviewed the attorney general’s budget long sheet and directed staff to include targeted personnel and one‑time items — including a victim‑witness advocate FTE, an executive staff officer/public information position, a crime‑lab technician, and an $8 million litigation contingency — for consideration in the committee’s package.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28886,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357717,"Appropriations committee recommends 'do not pass' on bill to fund two BCI cybercrime agents for Grand Forks region",8585,718000,9303000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213786-c5fe258f26f810b74e29b28fa35dac07&start=718&end=9303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213786-c5fe258f26f810b74e29b28fa35dac07/thumbnail_718000.jpg","/articles/6357717/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-recommends-do-not-pass-on-bill-to-fund-two-BCI-cybercrime-agents-for-Grand-Forks-region","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357717-b29b8fbae33498df1e7e3fcc9a5a7779/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143702&Signature=gVgWakh3Ax3KOWtdEfsbhENeGz7OxoHEvcl5CiIR-OKR6hSEqqCopHlp7lFWCMKqiXVMBqOu65MicGePClsARmarAa2FCdiAoBbjVDyRKHBMVa-LgKyHknK7CVIlCaDxw0aqWx-TtdXdTY-bATwimf-ENgHbl6TgOL3RpWriYq--oK8vYPdr1dBBQaCfiQ~1I2HoRfm~L1cTz7aorMclgGVMRUQ1ju6-3R8EOirC166-dbHnTGXcIdXSiEnPrJlee76xrlneB3nGC941XAbVsJZjnX787sZ3T0Z1GomdPH3gEFCYYh73dEOFT~QWl77Ffn9rQZVqkdIEZg-fB2IHBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division voted to recommend “do not pass” on House Bill 1102, an appropriation to the attorney general for two Bureau of Criminal Investigation cybercrime agents to be embedded in the Grand Forks Police Department. Representative Martinson made the motion and Vice Chair Representative Swiatek seconded it; the committee chair said the motion passed and would be carried to the floor.

The bill would have provided an appropriation to place two full-time BCI agents in Grand Forks and funding to support equipment, training and recurring costs. Todd Field, city administrator for the City of Grand Forks, told the committee the city and the region support embedding the agents and that Grand Forks would provide office space and “about $200,000 annually” in local support for the two agents’ office, equipment and training.

Committee members pressed why the positions were not included in the attorney general’s original budget request. The attorney general, appearing before the committee, said the BCI had prioritized other deployments and that the agency’s budget request reflected its assessed needs; he told the panel, “I can assure the committee … there are not investigative tips or needs coming from the community of Grand Forks … that are going unmet by our resources.” He said the BCI had already placed additional agents in Fargo and other locations in prior sessions and had requested funds in the last session for retrofitting secure space for cyber work.

Several lawmakers said they did not question the local need but were reluctant to add off-cycle FTEs and appropriations when they were not in the attorney general’s formal budget submission. Representative Martinson said the attorney general’s office “dropped the ball” by not including the request in the initial budget; Representative Sanford asked that an explanation be provided by the attorney general’s office before acting. Committee members also pointed to alternative requests in the AG’s wish list—such as an administrative assistant for the cyber unit intended to speed report turnaround—as possible lower-cost ways to increase BCI capacity.

The City of Grand Forks described the arrangement as regional: the two agents would be embedded in Grand Forks but serve Northeast North Dakota. Grand Forks officials said some start-up costs and continuing in‑kind support would come from the city. Lawmakers asked for detailed cost breakdowns for equipment items listed in testimony (cell-phone forensic software, forensic workstations, laptops, internet/firewall costs) and for an explanation of why the AG’s budget did not originally include the positions.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 1102 (appropriation to the attorney general for two BCI cybercrime agents)
Motion: Committee recommendation — do not pass
Mover: Representative Martinson
Second: Vice Chair Representative Swiatek
Outcome: Committee motion passed; chair said he will carry the bill to the floor (committee reported motion as “do not pass”).

The committee closed the hearing on HB 1102 after debate and planning to revisit the request later in the day; members asked the attorney general for further clarification of why the positions were not on the agency's original budget and for a full cost breakout before any further appropriations decision.

Provenance: first related transcript remarks appear when the clerk read HB 1102 and Representative Killeen summarized prior testimony; later discussion and the committee vote are captured in the transcript during the afternoon session. Ending: The committee recorded a do-not-pass recommendation and said it would carry the bill to the floor for further consideration.","The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division voted to recommend “do not pass” on House Bill 1102, which sought state funding for two Bureau of Criminal Investigation cybercrime agents to be embedded in Grand Forks.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6357708,"Committee hears $24 million request to fund workforce education innovation; higher‑ed leaders urge competitive grants",4111,7596000,11707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2213786-c5fe258f26f810b74e29b28fa35dac07&start=7596&end=11707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2213786-c5fe258f26f810b74e29b28fa35dac07/thumbnail_7596000.jpg","/articles/6357708/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-24-million-request-to-fund-workforce-education-innovation-highered-leaders-urge-competitive-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357708-8d99416f0c8a651d016191375eb8f9ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143702&Signature=CMAKD3OCyVTl9U~XnaZJ5NaVZmVUhdKcx4yc19ub870JWw8GWKdg9x5cU~aDDaHRMhOd0OGQsemX09XGhbyjiznmqfZc2VxxN3Q6~9FCA5x84yZKp~cyEJMoaaJHAdsFXkqAviR3GyhvniH40mEJOSi~axFF-OPLlVZPiZPqIgdwV8bQHnTl3jUfKwQsI8Rd6gCLqW7wHzQ9X9cBLsplVP1k29TYfqFn3SWpxPZidUbD4LgvFAT10TsNWsvjMM4VOEPdjQj~7q8MVMZ8SqPhh-uPP1neaB6wZzur0a~Vq-kP3NBhQMXfz3mUZBPo0u3FIdJ1o~63Rka1Wy4am1TZIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division heard testimony on House Bill 1221, which would appropriate $24 million from state general funds to the State Board of Higher Education to create a Workforce Education Innovation Fund. Representative Heiner, the bill sponsor, told the committee the funding would support program design, equipment purchases, curriculum development and distribution across the university system, and that higher education officials estimate the fund could help serve up to 60,000 people through credits and credentials.

Proponents described the fund as seed money to help institutions pilot programs that are not yet revenue‑generating. Representative Cynthia Shriverbeck (bill backer) said the policy enacted in 2023 (House Bill 1241) authorized the Workforce Education Innovation Program but did not provide funding; HB1221 is intended to fund that policy. She described the fund as competitive grants to build programs — for example, the airframe and powerplant (A&P) aviation maintenance program at North Dakota State College of Science — where upfront costs and curriculum development precede any credit‑based reimbursement through the funding formula.

College and university leaders testified in favor. Rod Flanagan, president of North Dakota State College of Science, said his school received an FAA grant to begin aviation maintenance work but needs state seed funding to make the program fully operational, citing equipment and instructor shortages and slow grant timelines. Andy Armacost, president of the University of North Dakota, told the committee an innovation pool would let institutions respond quickly to workforce needs and could especially help smaller schools that lack the endowments or reserves of larger universities. Acting Dickinson State University president Ty Orton and Lake Region State College president Doug Darling also supported the concept, saying start‑up costs for new programs (faculty recruitment, specialized equipment, curriculum design) must be covered before student credits generate formula revenue.

Supporters emphasized competitive administration and peer review. Several lawmakers pressed for guardrails to avoid duplication of existing programs and to direct funds toward programs that meet demonstrable workforce needs. Chancellor Mark Hagerott and board and system representatives said some peer institutions and states have used similar innovation funds (University of Michigan and South Dakota examples were cited), and the board has mechanisms — including system review and board approval — to vet new programs and limit unnecessary duplication.

Lawmakers asked whether funding should be restricted to specific workforce sectors (health care, advanced manufacturing, AI/technology) or left open; witnesses and several representatives suggested both approaches have tradeoffs. Representative Richter said focused direction might strengthen legislative oversight; others urged flexibility to respond to regional demands. The committee did not take a vote on HB1221 and asked staff and higher‑ed officials to consider language that clarifies selection criteria and distribution mechanics if the bill advances.

Provenance: hearing began when the clerk read House Bill 1221 and continued through testimony from legislators, college presidents, the university chancellor and higher education system representatives. Ending: Committee left the hearing open for further drafting and encouraged sponsors and system staff to work on selection criteria and distribution language for potential amendments.

","House Bill 1221 would appropriate $24 million to the State Board of Higher Education to launch a Workforce Education Innovation Fund to help colleges and universities design and stand up new programs. Supporters described the measure as a \"kickstarter\" to develop curriculum, buy equipment and train faculty for new or innovative programs;","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations committee details attorney general budget: victims advocates, crime-lab staff, PIO and litigation fund among priorities

Appropriations committee recommends 'do not pass' on bill to fund two BCI cybercrime agents for Grand Forks region

Committee hears $24 million request to fund workforce education innovation; higher‑ed leaders urge competitive grants