[{"_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",6317483,"mediaKeyId","2372380-14b1c535e826d97f989d352f20d8c891","parentId",2372380,"title","Appropriations committee adopts plan to accelerate Water Resources projects using trust‑fund cash, line of credit and targeted bonding","audioSeconds",4951,"startMs",2799000,"endMs",7750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2372380-14b1c535e826d97f989d352f20d8c891&start=2799&end=7750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2372380-14b1c535e826d97f989d352f20d8c891/thumbnail_2799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6317483/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-adopts-plan-to-accelerate-Water-Resources-projects-using-trustfund-cash-line-of-credit-and-targeted-bonding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317483-a95673463cbe6cca17bd30653e5c42b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873124&Signature=CIdpMJtfUC3bLEaZdSR3CXTX7xWhok2WL9CDwPYrzjQOl-E2grLjDcl7PzaY1S1-Kg-Tv~I595oAnpaRaQ4w5lSg7~E9K2oe1QvPLW2Qzjtegi4BQeyj6WFwC~QHTHbn5HS9HsRQV9H8WxlbXdlCfob5mN6PCEaXckM4mcAVZY-~WCUQ8eOFbyZGagZfzSV9XZoZv6ykuxfnxsfnBd5iLA8IQixbqLZkNY3zmBDX2otvL7EsVlCGkNh9ISuqCA2hvbk~mIIlMmOpD0sDISi4PyIAvdOP~ZB9LtpPgffFjGabSEoK5yhKnczpnrqYBsOhZpLIwLxAPC9QcKh2fLZw-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-21T00:00:00Z","article","The House Appropriations Committee on Friday advanced House Bill 10‑20, the Department of Water Resources budget and a multi‑biennium funding strategy that would accelerate a slate of water projects through a combination of trust‑fund cash, a proposed $200 million strategic line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota and a $100 million bonding package dedicated to the Southwest Pipeline.

Representative Swantek introduced the bill and a public presentation that outlined a 14‑year needs assessment the department compiled. Department director Reese (self‑identified as director of the Department of Water Resources during the hearing) and Bank of North Dakota officials described a model that would use existing cash on hand in the Resources Trust Fund more aggressively to fund projects now and hedge against inflation and construction‑cost escalation.

Reese told the committee that water projects typically take multiple years — sometimes close to a decade — to complete and that appropriated trust‑fund dollars are often obligated early but spent over extended timelines. \"With all that goes into constructing water infrastructure ... in some cases it could take closer to a decade to complete the project,\" Reese said, explaining the department reimburses sponsors as costs are incurred and therefore holds cash for long periods.

Bank of North Dakota Chief Business Development Officer Kelvin Hollitt described modeling that used oil‑tax revenue forecasts to show the trust‑fund balance could be drawn down from roughly $450 million toward $200 million over a multi‑biennium program while accelerating about $100 million per year in project spending under the bank’s “most likely” revenue scenario.

The strategy presented to the committee included three main elements:
- A $200 million strategic line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota to provide temporary acceleration of project funding (described to the committee as a cash‑management “overdraft” to be used only if needed).
- A $100 million bond package dedicated to the state‑owned Southwest Pipeline project, using its capital‑repayment stream as the debt service source.
- Reallocation and targeted use of Resources Trust Fund cash to accelerate high‑priority projects (examples cited: Red River Valley Water Supply and Mouse River Valley projects).

Bank staff also proposed adjustments to how the trust fund’s cash is invested and how matching and loan programs are structured to increase returns and provide additional lending capacity for local sponsors. Kylie Merkel of the Bank of North Dakota walked the committee through the Water Infrastructure Loan Fund’s recent history (a merger of two loan funds), its remaining commitments, and its capacity to support local cost shares with long‑term, low‑interest loans.

Committee members asked for operational details including whether bonding terms could be extended beyond 30–40 years (the Department said 40 years is the common requested term tied to useful life), how the proposed line of credit would be phased out over time, and whether the cash‑management approach had been coordinated with other state cash‑management efforts. Bank and agency officials said the plan had been shared with leadership and the governor’s office and characterized it as the first concrete example of applying cash‑management tools at the agency level.

The committee adopted amendment 25.0164.0.01011 and then voted to recommend passage of House Bill 10‑20 as amended. Committee roll call was read in public; the amendment vote and the final do‑pass recorded a majority in favor and one abstention on the final passage roll call. The committee praised the collaboration between the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Water Resources and noted the package’s potential to accelerate major regional projects while reducing inflation exposure.

Why it matters: The approach would front‑load construction of multi‑year, high‑cost projects — including the Red River and Mouse River regional systems — by converting a portion of the Resources Trust Fund’s cash into near‑term project financing and using the bank credit line and targeted bonding to preserve long‑term fund solvency. Accelerating projects could reduce overall construction costs but also carries implementation and revenue‑risk if oil‑tax receipts deviate from forecasts.

What’s next: The committee recommended HB10‑20 do pass as amended; the bill will be scheduled for floor consideration. Agency and Bank staff committed to provide additional repayment schedules, fund‑flow models and pump‑replacement / replacement‑schedule details at follow‑up requests from committee members.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations Friday, Feb 21, 2025 9:57 AM - 12:17 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Appropriations Committee voted to advance House Bill 10‑20 as amended, endorsing a Department of Water Resources plan to accelerate multi‑year projects with a Bank of North Dakota line of credit, targeted bonding and reallocation of Resources Trust Fund cash.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28310,"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},6317487,"North Dakota lawmakers outline two competing property-tax relief plans; committee schedules further work",1091,1679000,2770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2372380-14b1c535e826d97f989d352f20d8c891&start=1679&end=2770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2372380-14b1c535e826d97f989d352f20d8c891/thumbnail_1679000.jpg","/articles/6317487/North-Dakota/North-Dakota-lawmakers-outline-two-competing-property-tax-relief-plans-committee-schedules-further-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317487-1058112d324a6eee2c81993d98368ea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873124&Signature=K~bZAXaV3fkYo2ASLl7yiTB5Zqz76pZK1F0iHKUM6zKHJFgbanC65EEctX-sMb32ZrJnyk50qsWNtdb7YtWSdZ5UYFZCoagRE2W~hBaA6lQQYgAmwlPDZagXYfajkJW6rKQ-DEFsud~syCtzLSqE5isU8zKm4TxXwIuc2yfvxqpqdUPWELa7wuNPT5t6bxDYHidMl-VnzxJfoH0j~juqezH5ENQqCjNXLmFeex6PuzizZKSreCSDAd-dSbDl6Tb9LCXAjHKPBbq00pIH5WRBYMM~tpEPOFwlXtgcNwg9ZQrgU2MI6q1RDyvMgHsRAVKg78AFPctRRkSiOQ5Qo-pjxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Robin Wise (District 14) and Representative Louser presented competing property-tax relief proposals to the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, proposing across-the-board reductions in the factors used to calculate taxable valuation and a 3% cap on annual assessed-value growth.

The main provision of House Bill 15‑75, presented by Representative Robin Wise, would lower the residential assessment factor from 9% to 6.25% and reduce the agricultural and commercial factors from 10% to 8.5%, a cut Wise described as “simple” and “fair.” Wise said that change would produce roughly a 30% decrease for residential taxpayers and a roughly 15% decrease for agricultural and commercial property owners and that the bill would use legacy-fund dollars for the relief.

Committee members were shown technical details for how relief would be implemented. Wise said counties would calculate new taxable valuations, send the totals to the tax department, and receive refunds without an application process. He also described a 3% cap on the portion of local budgets funded by property tax, and said political subdivisions that need additional levy authority could ask voters in a scheduled statewide election for up to six years of increased levy authority.

Representative Louser presented a related but larger buyout proposal that had moved through Finance and Tax in a different form. Louser described an amendment that would provide a 10‑mill buydown of K‑12 mills statewide, which he said would cost about $120,000,000: “the cost for one mill across the board for all property types is 12,000,000. So this is a 10‑mill buydown … it'd be a hundred and 20,000,000.” Louser said an earlier version sought a 30‑mill buydown and that the 10‑mill option was the version currently being discussed in committee. Louser’s proposal included the same 3% cap on growth and allowed local governments to seek additional levy authority by voter approval; in Louser’s version the carry-forward and the period for voter-requested levy carryover differ slightly from the other proposal.

Committee members clarified several technical points. Representative Wagner confirmed that going to the voters to exceed levy caps would occur at a regular statewide election and that a simple majority would decide the question. Chairman Bigasaw confirmed centrally assessed property (described in the hearing as “centrally assessed”) was excluded from the proposed reductions and would remain at 10% under the presented language.

No formal committee vote was taken on either House Bill 15‑75 or Louser’s amendment during the hearing. Committee members agreed to hold a fuller discussion later in the day along with two budget bills before returning to the remaining policy bills in the coming days.

Why it matters: Both proposals would reduce property-tax revenue used by cities, counties and school districts and rely on one-time state dollars, shifting near‑term costs into the state budget. The 3% cap on taxable-value growth would change the long-term revenue certainty local governments use for planning and bonding, and the carry-forward and voter-approval mechanics would shape how local officials respond to revenue shortfalls.

What’s next: Committee members said they would take up all three tax proposals later the same day and work to reconcile funding language and election timing before possible floor action.","Representative Robin Wise and Representative Louser presented competing property‑tax relief measures proposing across‑the‑board reductions in assessment factors and a 3% cap on assessed‑value growth; no final committee vote was taken.",{"_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},6317479,"Appropriations committee backs Historical Society budget emphasizing exhibits, NAGPRA compliance and building preservation",248,8100000,7852000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2372380-14b1c535e826d97f989d352f20d8c891&start=8100&end=7852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2372380-14b1c535e826d97f989d352f20d8c891/thumbnail_8100000.jpg","/articles/6317479/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-backs-Historical-Society-budget-emphasizing-exhibits-NAGPRA-compliance-and-building-preservation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6317479-d10ded3ee73069b22e10226c1b08e6a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770873124&Signature=hBwx6SnncoTCN58tsmqLcsVN5D9g0JWinF1Fatp34hNEROXYOyzLQo9xGuq4qmTyXIiI0ztrULv-vgdD0352nnGQUJpt1~0B4-li31AFLvMIE~3WXPW20JNJTXrhRey-5doKcXUfgbLewLzGlaR3IXsAKYGlgys4D3xCTjlBvDGGXsOyj1AqFvM2vZ7ivoOI~iiFNsa8qPXiM296KCy9tUficu-0UosXs1Sxr7sWMBrtrNOMMnug1INqsq3uVccPwdQn8HODUbH5-O~E4mTaMeNkGObSy0cD26whAXujPOAJ2b6bfKHERxnlLf4Vo1e3pSfPVY00Dc~aMSP2b2im-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee voted to recommend passage of House Bill 10‑18 as amended, the State Historical Society budget, which the committee shaped around three priorities: new and refreshed museum exhibits, compliance with federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) requirements, and targeted historic‑building preservation grants across the state.

Representative Hansen, explaining the budget, stressed the breadth of the society’s work — more than 60 museums and historic sites — and described three themes driving the committee’s funding decisions: new exhibits (including a military‑gallery expansion and updates to Pembina, Medora and the inspiration gallery), resources to comply with NAGPRA’s five‑year inventory obligation, and programs to repair and preserve historic buildings in communities across North Dakota.

On NAGPRA, the committee added one ongoing FTE for museum compliance work plus two temporary positions and operational funds. Hansen said the law requires institutions that receive federal funds to inventory and, where appropriate, repatriate human remains and cultural items; the bill’s positions and temporary staff are paired with separate House Bill 16‑03 funding intended to help tribes lead repatriation and consultation work.

The committee also approved onetime State Infrastructure Fund (SIF) dollars to refresh the Pembina State Museum exhibits, seed planning for Medora area work, and a $3 million SIF allocation to address deferred maintenance and repair needs at state‑owned historic structures. A competitive grant program received a $2.9 million onetime SIF allocation to fund renovations in communities; Representative Hansen cited a short list of potential projects that includes the Fargo Theatre (matching requirement of $2 private dollars raised for every $1 of state dollars), the Sargent County Historical Society, the Marmarth Historical Society (Mystic Theatre and Railroad Bunk House), Ellendale’s storefront work and the Williston Old Armory.

On the military gallery, Hansen said the total expansion project cost is estimated at $78,700,000, with roughly half expected from private donations and half from state sources. The committee recommended $20,000,000 from SIF and a $20,000,000 Bank of North Dakota line of credit for the state contribution; the Historical Society reported it had raised more than $7,000,000 in private funds and anticipated additional private pledges once state participation was secured. The committee also included $700,000 to update the museum’s inspiration gallery so artifacts can be reallocated when the new military gallery opens.

Committee members asked for additional information on several points: the amount of prior federal MR&I or other federal funds used on Minot/NAS projects and whether those federal dollars were still being relied on; the operational model for the Silver Jackets (Corps of Engineers liaison) coordinator; the replacement schedule for pumps used for emergency dewatering (committee requested the pump‑replacement schedule be provided); and matching and grant requirements for local recipients of building repair grants.

The committee adopted amendment 1003 and then voted to recommend House Bill 10‑18 as amended for passage. The floor amendment and final committee roll call were read in public; the motion carried. The committee also took a separate do‑not‑pass action on House Bill 14‑38 (the separate Fargo Theatre matching bill) because the theater request was folded into HB10‑18 as an item within the Historical Society appropriation.

Why it matters: The bill funds a significant capital‑scale expansion (the military gallery) and establishes staff and one‑time resources to meet federally mandated NAGPRA deadlines, tasks that will require coordination with tribal governments and federal agencies. The SIF one‑time grants and repairs also target cultural and economic assets in rural communities.

What’s next: HB10‑18 will be scheduled for floor consideration after committee report; the Historical Society, the department and affected communities will be asked to provide matching and project schedules as part of the grant oversight process.","The Appropriations Committee voted to advance House Bill 10‑18 as amended, authorizing funding for new exhibits, NAGPRA compliance positions and one‑time SIF grants for historic‑building repairs and restoration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations committee adopts plan to accelerate Water Resources projects using trust‑fund cash, line of credit and targeted bonding

North Dakota lawmakers outline two competing property-tax relief plans; committee schedules further work

Appropriations committee backs Historical Society budget emphasizing exhibits, NAGPRA compliance and building preservation