In a recent meeting of the North Dakota Senate Industry and Business Committee, discussions centered around the development of a new website aimed at improving access to information regarding the state's legacy fund. The initiative, which is projected to cost between $300,000 and $500,000, seeks to streamline the process for citizens requesting information, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the current system, which relies heavily on cumbersome PDF documents.

The committee learned that approximately 30% of open records requests pertain to the legacy fund, with costs to fulfill these requests estimated in the tens of thousands of dollars annually. Currently, the process is labor-intensive, requiring significant time to gather and organize information. The proposed website aims to alleviate these burdens by allowing users to filter and access information more efficiently.

Senator Jody Barta highlighted the necessity of this project, noting that the existing website is not user-friendly, especially for constituents seeking specific information about their investments. The new system is expected to evolve over the next five years, with initial phases requiring some manual input before transitioning to a more automated process.

Funding for the website will come from the legacy fund, which has sparked discussions about the broader implications for the state budget. Some committee members expressed concerns about potential resistance to the project, particularly regarding the release of proprietary information related to investments. The committee is awaiting an opinion from the attorney general to clarify what information can be disclosed without jeopardizing contractual obligations with money managers.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency of modernizing the state's information systems was clear. The proposed website not only aims to enhance transparency but also to foster a more informed public, ultimately benefiting the citizens of North Dakota. The committee plans to revisit this topic in the next legislative session, signaling a commitment to improving access to vital information.