[{"_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",6087218,"mediaKeyId","2891418-117d61d2eed548f51c2e8f329cfa01ec","parentId",2891418,"title","Committee approves amendment to HB1524 to authorize Commerce grants for regional planning councils","audioSeconds",509,"startMs",214000,"endMs",723000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891418-117d61d2eed548f51c2e8f329cfa01ec&start=214&end=723","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891418-117d61d2eed548f51c2e8f329cfa01ec/thumbnail_214000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087218/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-amendment-to-HB1524-to-authorize-Commerce-grants-for-regional-planning-councils","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087218-a6c352720593730f928fad00a3f78841/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204023&Signature=KA~IJv-ATSprvsSUT3KPIs-4sRi4meun3IdKlMu2wu8myy8jHzkf0LPJAYUgrwdV6SSRQv9rMWOSu4R9RHvYh0kRCuEuVadgVcMOX--676i93bpm2~YPT5EgWPJfFvLjKW7FZsOUVn9vwz2u595gcw7nsb4xENT-lml6uDVtsWUSDjVpdD3YWzgYzEERDEZKm3aDvQ6eKFgfoymCoGcO7~ORYYcNMM2SVnTgswkVlMX45tKiWlxLf8gz1v0cY65Ou~6CZGXOJ18p88OJbkYhkO-amfj9vweA7bxoS1Y1gRznt0MfL8cgRbpZM-x8i3f1pQZaamUUs0RKre~fXFPPiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Appropriations - Government Operations Division approved an amendment to House Bill 1524 that would authorize the Department of Commerce to award grants to regional planning councils to support local and regional implementation of state-authorized programs, including housing initiatives, regional workforce programs, rural catalyst projects and local food and grocery efforts.

Senator Dwyer, who moved the amendment, described it as “a complete hog house amendment,” saying the change removes a requirement to develop biennial work plans and eliminates a separate appropriation so the department may award grants under its existing authority. Dwyer said the amendment “authorizes as a policy matter the Department of Commerce to award grants to regional planning councils” and that funding would be considered as part of the Commerce Committee’s budget in conference rather than included directly in the bill.

The amendment drew cautious support and some reservation. Senator Sickler said, “I appreciate the work, Senator Dwyer,” but added he would still vote no because he was concerned about the state providing operating dollars to regional planning councils even while acknowledging “the fantastic work they do.” Senator Dwyer noted the amendment does not appropriate money in HB1524 itself: “So far, we’re not putting any funding in here,” he said, adding that any funding would be handled in the Commerce budget process.

Committee members noted regional planning councils already receive support from local job development and economic development authorities in larger cities and are seen as a potential on-the-ground resource to help smaller, rural communities access state grant programs. Dwyer said there have already been inquiries from rural communities about how to access housing and other grant funding, and that regional councils could help facilitate that work.

The committee adopted the amendment (Amendment No. 03001) on a voice/roll call and later moved the bill forward. A subsequent committee vote approved a due-pass recommendation on House Bill 1524 as amended. The roll-call on the due-pass motion recorded votes as: Chairman Wojcick — Yes; Senator Burghardt — Yes; Senator Dwyer — Yes; Senator Erbilie — Aye; Senator Sickler — No. That motion passed 4 to 1. Senator Dwyer will carry the bill.

The amendment text removes the original sections referencing biennial work plans and the standalone appropriation, and replaces them with policy language authorizing Commerce to award grants to regional planning councils for state-authorized programs. The committee discussion made clear the amendment itself does not include a funding amount; any appropriation for the authorized grants would be addressed in the upcoming Commerce budget negotiations and conference committee work.

The committee proceeded to other agenda items after the vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Monday, Apr 7, 2025 10:25 AM - 11:01 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Appropriations - Government Operations Division approved an amendment to House Bill 1524 that would authorize the Department of Commerce to award grants to regional planning councils to support local implementation of state programs.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Government Operations Division, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28900,"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},6087208,"Committee defers action on SB1330 pending amendment language on State Investment Board exemptions",263,1113000,1376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891418-117d61d2eed548f51c2e8f329cfa01ec&start=1113&end=1376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891418-117d61d2eed548f51c2e8f329cfa01ec/thumbnail_1113000.jpg","/articles/6087208/North-Dakota/Committee-defers-action-on-SB1330-pending-amendment-language-on-State-Investment-Board-exemptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087208-e9ab4ecfe094eff5ffd1ac3b8ec39271/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204023&Signature=DDnuQj8NRyXBBXZGkereNJIXwffwY9rA5kKE9RHoatoKnKad7tNDwD~dzLxEn1-Ll4uvvraPug4Ozr6C5XdgiCMW9z1UNa7-vczNLS5JObm8W3fG6rX7pXb3ORzULc3LsVUzlwJP4fnjUHC0PqxuU0GA5JLkZxgVhIvAlKq0AS2Y7vXW2WOdUyrm1PLwUgMXZqqWLih~tAZoIAk1PofHRdrGWyTrQt5XIQnhGHQXRMYhX626xUCOuj8keNsK3IFZvVZkHidsy4JGocFqFlRGnUkXUZVsKXrLTymPqx10VQhYHvJ6lRH~X2jQ4aDkyUShCVqc2bNuC-pxMaMDiuumjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 1330, which includes language that would provide an exemption allowing the State Investment Board to invest in state infrastructure projects, was discussed but not taken up for final action by the Appropriations - Government Operations Division. Committee members said they expected amendment language to address concerns and that those amendments had been submitted to staff but were not yet available at the time of the meeting.

Senator Dwyer summarized prior testimony and said Jody Smith from the RIO had raised questions about language added in section 3 that would allow the State Investment Board to place money into state infrastructure projects. Dwyer said Jody Smith had submitted suggested amendment language and that he sent that language to staff (referred to as Adam). Committee members agreed to recess and reconvene in the afternoon so any amendments could be circulated and considered.

The committee did not vote on SB1330. Members said they would take up the bill after the legislative session announcements and that staff would notify the committee if amendments became available. No final policy decision was made during the meeting excerpt.","Discussion of Senate Bill 1330 centered on newly added language in section 3 giving the State Investment Board an exemption to invest in state infrastructure projects; members postponed action until suggested amendments are filed and scheduled an afternoon reconvening.",{"_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},6087213,"Committee gives due-pass recommendation on HB1279, leaving coal severance/conversion tax level to conference",514,742000,1256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891418-117d61d2eed548f51c2e8f329cfa01ec&start=742&end=1256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891418-117d61d2eed548f51c2e8f329cfa01ec/thumbnail_742000.jpg","/articles/6087213/North-Dakota/Committee-gives-due-pass-recommendation-on-HB1279-leaving-coal-severanceconversion-tax-level-to-conference","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087213-14887b8ffee01e1c82135f764c6e4c0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204023&Signature=oBZ9NsvTnViCmKwcXIRxLrQ0pWn17A5hh7tQGamfeXgK5-kil-wAeLQZgxJ7xwBa1ayH741bjgV8bRiFWOjKn1RGZKmOl47oVySrGKIeHYAb1YjST9YqZrz99Ea1~3TLdv2gKEJHnmHJRvPQP67qjUso03xHOL522YIj7nrFGhlkRH9hwR7MfHQjzIF40d44ywBcyWqYeKjK5iIQD6sdjhIle7dCpsEZ65gxZWOHhM-2vewXu3Rj0~1y~6NIxFHlIdzE7bpDRIzmP1R7M1jdjDnc5CVCK11rRjPizHdvGFqq7~Tq1aH2ijKjwxp2PAhsn5E2r31zZwgc8dEAOYPQJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations - Government Operations Division voted to give House Bill 1279 a do-pass recommendation, advancing language dealing with coal severance and coal conversion tax treatment to the conference committee. Committee members said the bill was negotiated with fossil-fuel stakeholders and legislative leadership and that conference negotiations are the appropriate forum to resolve exact exemption levels.

Senator Dwyer described the item as “a major policy tax revenue issue” and recommended passing the bill as presented and letting a conference committee determine the final level of any exemption. Dwyer said that, if passed as-is, the bill could be taken up in policy committee or decided in conference depending on revenue conditions later in the session.

Committee discussion noted differences between the House and Senate versions; the transcript records that the House version provides a percentage-based state share treatment and that the approach under consideration would exempt half of the state share for the next three years. The committee briefly discussed scheduling and public notice; members said many stakeholders who testified earlier supported the Senate's position but preferred the House position and that conference is the venue to resolve remaining differences.

A roll-call recorded votes for the do-pass motion. The clerk recorded affirmative responses from Chairman Wojcick, Senator Burkhart and Senator Dwyer; Senator Herberly and Senator Seclerc were also recorded as voting aye. The chair declared the motion carried. Committee members said the item will be one of the issues decided late in the session by the conference committee as general-fund and revenue forecasts become clear.","The committee approved a do-pass recommendation on House Bill 1279 (coal tax/convert) after members said the negotiated bill should proceed to conference committee where final tax-exemption levels will be decided.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves amendment to HB1524 to authorize Commerce grants for regional planning councils

Committee defers action on SB1330 pending amendment language on State Investment Board exemptions

Committee gives due-pass recommendation on HB1279, leaving coal severance/conversion tax level to conference