[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,76,86,98,110],{"_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",6077583,"mediaKeyId","2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981","parentId",2964048,"title","Appropriations panel recommends do-not-pass on $5 million rural endowment bill","audioSeconds",569,"startMs",3871000,"endMs",4440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981&start=3871&end=4440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981/thumbnail_3871000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077583/North-Dakota/Appropriations-panel-recommends-do-not-pass-on-5-million-rural-endowment-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077583-2c39234d82ea2a34e734e39176b43eaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180024&Signature=Rbg9EhhonERdsa3kRgys2TFQ~8gh8qEMC6AxBARytfd5iOETV6iR~VCgWm4QngWAgJiYc06i3WKwevb-YZ7I~V8tsKbuVTTZ8MxMBHIF-1lBH5Seoco8IVhdht6-0wC0uwOQv-sCVGKlnPjfu~VXbMCkaSclPB9NXot9Omatw8q3NsYLDJWVWm1wwhaxgl-hLtQ8lDgGj1T3MMcjHTIzpc5MsjwIkUNDrOnH2Xr7QXQdA9jJBLsBc8CttVArAkRqzONToRTPcKMt7WhdvjB5yjT2M52xV~63XQv70Qx~qPCYET8-SDnRO0Wn83plKsBtCfuSYsfVx4SwENLK-VVhjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota Legislature","date","2025-04-11T00:00:00Z","article","The House Appropriations Committee voted to recommend a do-not-pass on Senate Bill 1997, which would have established a $5 million rural endowment fund, after concluding the regional-council-administered alternative (Senate Bill 2390) was the preferable vehicle for supporting small communities.

Representative Nelson moved a do-not-pass on SB 1997; the committee adopted the motion on a recorded roll call (vote recorded in the transcript as 22 yes, 0 no and 1 absent). Committee discussion noted that many small communities already have local foundations and that a regional-council program could leverage existing staff and governance to deliver grants more effectively.

Members said the endowment model likely would not generate meaningful annual payouts in the near term and would require building administrative capacity. Instead, several members recommended one-time grant funding administered by regional councils to expedite assistance to rural towns, preserve or reopen grocery stores and support local projects.

Representative Nelson agreed to carry SB 1997 with a do-not-pass position and said the committee may position it in conference with the other rural-development bill depending on floor action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations Apr 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee recommended a do-not-pass on Senate Bill 1997, an endowment fund proposal for rural development, and signaled preference for the regional-council approach in SB 2390.","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":44,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077589,"Appropriations committee backs $5 million rural development fund carried by regional councils, lowers population threshold",1585,5456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981&start=3871&end=5456","/articles/6077589/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-backs-5-million-rural-development-fund-carried-by-regional-councils-lowers-population-threshold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077589-99dd09008ecfb3653f8bb37dc43e14b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180024&Signature=MAEP-W7QIU7I~1j7JrAmQr~kuyIc1KretaY7p59h3oBezlhAz3aMPBQudmujVk9kz5YdEEfJxGEX3vlbp0D5eu3Bu6UDzxvaM94xNp~EKvJ-o6Q4bZhfOiKocEjzpsOrGVNLzGG3ruejV42hcINGdm4-IJQzccmIqHZ2vIObd5isxDHOx8DO-AVNbsg-AjRBzgNHm2vmoUkwhUFLhm4diIQrAkUXLdwC8fifDd~yYRa6ssaduY9q6vf-0CwjpJXq9IX5rOa~ngalAHaZ74C1QiMIs1PjOrk5o7uc~nb73b9JmF9LMvw1dPeNvSjuHLARQY-e-26uhkIbKlphkBISag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 2390 as amended, which creates a $5 million one-time rural development grant fund administered through the state’s eight regional councils and prioritizes very small communities.

Committee members discussed two competing rural proposals and favored SB 2390 because the regional councils already have infrastructure and governance to administer grants and leverage other funding. Representative Nelson moved an amendment to lower the population maximum for eligibility from 4,500 to 3,000; the committee adopted that amendment on a roll call (recorded as 23 yes, 0 no). The committee then voted to give SB 2390 a do-pass recommendation as amended; the roll recorded the motion as carried 23 yes, 0 no.

Members argued regional councils can pair state funds with foundation money, federal grants and other local investments, and that councils’ staff and boards know local conditions and priorities. The amended bill includes a requirement that at least 50% of grant funds be allocated to communities with populations under 1,500.

Committee discussion also examined where to draw a population cutoff; members noted any specific threshold would exclude some communities close to the line and that regional councils can prioritize applications within their regions. Representative Richter and other members said the regional model would help leverage the $5 million into more substantial local investment. Representative Mitscog stressed the program is a “starting point” to address vanishing main streets and grocery stores in rural areas.

The committee adopted the do-pass motion and selected Representative Mitscog as carrier; Representative Nelson and Representative Munson were involved in amendment motions. Members said the regional councils’ membership on the administering committee will ensure regional representation in awarding funds.","The committee gave a do-pass recommendation to Senate Bill 2390, a $5 million one-time rural development fund administered through regional councils, and amended the population threshold for eligibility from 4,500 to 3,000.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077593,"Committee scales back Clean Sustainable Energy Authority funding to Senate numbers, extends authority and adds water director to board",491,3319000,3810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981&start=3319&end=3810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981/thumbnail_3319000.jpg","/articles/6077593/North-Dakota/Committee-scales-back-Clean-Sustainable-Energy-Authority-funding-to-Senate-numbers-extends-authority-and-adds-water-director-to-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077593-b68222eb606a96eb85bb5333b3ebe43c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180024&Signature=DOxdizwL8mlMLzeho9qL-oZdtm8Ba9tPXPvTv7p1A~DgLYqHvNqQi2ihd1I-Zm03HI4NazvL~eYZQ6mRzcj6oGvAW8zq~vw2ByTaxujYl9jcAC7nurCRYZj5O-hV50HVXiAUF6gQH6O9EAdptV4d5Za6dmUIpk-QF7YzruBSxv86owf3u~cmWdWJnQQDkD7kl5f4ZKKBtAqjH9Y1laqhLnd2ocDGyomFdJEy40wOHX6abTExxhnjLnudKlkHoJ03qQyjrxheLlvrWbTBsYHDK5d7oL~JZH81S6mNw9LeApvN5IUfPBuGHPM85z8x7NQ6HWkAJ-40ClKNpMGUlKrVhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee amended House language for the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority bill to align funding and dates with the Senate version and to add the director of the Department of Water Resources to the authority’s governing committee.

Representative Bosch, who co-chairs the authority with Senator Patton, summarized the program as a grant and low-interest loan vehicle to help energy projects through final commercialization. House policy committee changes had increased funding authority; committee discussion and research indicated that existing and pending projects likely leave enough remaining capacity at the Senate levels. The committee voted to change the bill’s Section 3 numbers to $15,000,000 in grants and $40,000,000 in loan authority and to extend the line-of-credit date. The roll call recorded adoption of the amendment as 22 yes, 0 no and 1 absent. The committee later voted to give the bill a do-pass as amended; that vote carried 22–0–1.

Members discussed several projects that have sought authority or loan capacity under the program, including battery manufacturing and other energy projects in the state. Representative Bosch noted the importance of water availability for some projects and supported adding the Department of Water Resources director to provide technical input. Representative Murphy asked whether members who had applied for past grants should refrain from voting; the committee chair ruled members could vote and noted competitive grants are handled through application processes.

The amended bill will re-open the grant/loan application cycle and allow the authority to consider projects that had been waiting for funding. The committee’s action restores the Senate’s funding levels and timeline while adjusting membership to include water-resource expertise; Representative Kempenick will carry the bill on the House floor with Representative Bosch as a backup.","The committee amended House changes and adopted the Senate funding levels for the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, preserving loan and grant capacity and adding the director of the Department of Water Resources to the authority’s board.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077598,"Appropriations committee votes to not pass library bill after debate over fiscal impacts and criminal-exposure language",1035,2210000,3245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981&start=2210&end=3245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981/thumbnail_2210000.jpg","/articles/6077598/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-votes-to-not-pass-library-bill-after-debate-over-fiscal-impacts-and-criminal-exposure-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077598-6e8ef350ccd2826c57c4bc1d68027ccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180024&Signature=NkupxMnQLky40xwV4M20h8gPxJb9eblt0oCF5peh9OhAvEgYJOmQxnjyBp0ve9-7izvHtmEJKwwBndKMOp9jbx7uXWqLji3xCMMBlSAJ6GnDW0rwsNjQMYQku1Mzz5NlGM9Hd61h5OBdZJV7cMT8l9xvRtrEsdM-BPlZAy6HBIo9E9nZri2ILBxkVoSzFKRxkeKkbtZqKwa8kcmoX-Jrwhxs5bnrRUGfmpIJ7Ssdl15CGi9NaXrUP~tflwdRy7pVpenBlhwXRsCG3nRjLiYf5ddsqr-BaBVmtTbQDPvqy8m7eMz9foOpenJS39BukDPr-t~w~64PeeXbGMTDgKhrUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee voted to recommend a do-not-pass on Senate Bill 2307, commonly described in committee as the “library bill,” after prolonged discussion over fiscal implications, constitutional concerns and potential criminal-law exposure for public institutions.

Committee members spent extensive time debating an amendment that would remove the bill’s fiscal note and turn the measure into a policy-only bill; the amendment was defeated on a roll call. Following consideration, Representative Murphy moved a do-not-pass recommendation on the version presented to the committee; the motion carried on a recorded roll call (committee clerk recorded the final committee vote as 22 yes, 0 no and 1 absent).

Members raised several concerns during debate. Representative Murphy and other opponents said the committee had not held a public hearing on the proposed amendment, so agencies and local governments had not had the opportunity to testify on costs. Representative Kempanick described a constitutional concern: he said the bill’s withholding mechanism could conflict with the state’s constitutional duty to fund education and indicated Legislative Counsel had been asked to outline the mechanism.

Representative Richter and Representative Hansen highlighted potential fiscal costs to county prosecutors and political subdivisions. Representative Hansen said language in the amendment changes the word “shall” to “may” in a section that could open felony obscenity charges to colleges, universities, museums and public libraries — entities that currently are not exposed under the existing obscenity framework — and he warned that appeals could be lodged repeatedly up to the state’s attorney level, including by out-of-state actors.

Representative Bile and others stressed that the committee had not treated the amendment as a hearing and therefore had not heard from stakeholders, state agencies or the public before considering the substantive policy change. Multiple members said the fiscal impacts on counties and institutions needed to be quantified and discussed on the record.

Following discussion, the committee declined to adopt the amendment and then voted on a do-not-pass recommendation for SB 2307 as presented. The committee recorded the final do-not-pass motion as carried with the recorded roll showing a majority in favor; members said the floor should consider the fiscal implications and stakeholder testimony before any final action.

The committee’s record shows multiple roll calls during consideration of the amendment and final motion; the transcript records members’ roll-call responses and the committee chair closed the file after the do-not-pass recommendation.","After extended debate about fiscal and legal implications, the House Appropriations Committee voted to recommend a do-not-pass on Senate Bill 2307, the library bill, citing unanswered questions about costs to local governments and potential criminal exposure changes.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6077603,"House appropriations panel adds $1.2 million, restores FTE for Department of Veterans Affairs in Senate Bill 2025",931,999000,1930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981&start=999&end=1930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2964048-d6b3246a8955b13d3c2b9b8536d8f981/thumbnail_999000.jpg","/articles/6077603/North-Dakota/House-appropriations-panel-adds-12-million-restores-FTE-for-Department-of-Veterans-Affairs-in-Senate-Bill-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077603-d9e457d1b738dc2e09b483c6cd5bcae2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180024&Signature=a5MUy8rWvy0m31V3UQjHup0E1LQ0MnQVTR6PuqvcN8fnoksLLubXocacOfGIsUgaOWYfnO3HkpBen7G1jdVA5TVr8AU3TAJr14EoiMnYBg6QxYPfjg0-y6bd~qsJLhanWdIz-ru6u76WkIBEi~GMzpvtEw8SS7i8h3u3CQ23KxgCs6eNv38YWDKl39pphEsavZGRTsTAHALBIqX~8zPUJ66UvBkj2RolaM~FLIo44dP0DYok5TAfTL1b8qqDuZQ2sO6atkRcBUcGLhVWR5mXknynhVmEdfSkWrMg4~0pYco1Vm1gJJcu4ExaZVpurFCYHM-~BQvA-CZADc5hZijL7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee voted to adopt an amendment and advance amended Senate Bill 2025, adding $1.2 million in general-fund dollars and restoring one full-time equivalent position for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The amendment, offered by Representative O’Brien, was adopted on a roll call that the committee clerk recorded as 22 yes, 0 no and 1 absent. Committee members then voted to engross and give the bill a do-pass recommendation as amended, by the same margin; Representative O’Brien will be the House carrier.

The bill as amended increases the department’s appropriation to add a veterans benefits specialist FTE (the position had been removed in 2017) with $6,270 for operating expenses; restores $50,000 moved into operating expenses to reflect a commissioner salary equity adjustment; and adds general-fund, one-time money for homeless veteran services originally referenced in the earlier House bill. The amendment also adds provisions on the roles and supervision of the Veterans Home and changes related to governance authority, and includes authority language for a highly rural transportation grants program.

Representative O’Brien described the items in the bill, noting the $1.2 million increase reflected funds removed from House Bill 1504 for veteran homelessness and other reassignments. She told the committee the restored FTE will help with a “significant increase in the claims” handled by the department. O’Brien said the committee previously removed a commissioner salary equity increase; the amendment moves $25,000 back into operating and keeps the overall salary increase accounted for in the salary line item.

Committee members asked how the commissioner’s earlier pay increase had been funded. Committee discussion said the department used administrative dollars from the highly rural transportation grant program to cover the raise; members noted testimony that administrative use of the grant program is capped in practice (committee members cited a 10% cap and a suggestion some programs may allow up to 15%), and said the math needs further review or audit to be sure the use complied with grant rules.

The amendment also authorizes carryover for grants to assist construction of a Fisher House at the Fargo Veterans Affairs Medical Center and references document-scanning project completion and an emergency clause tied to a $200,000 federal fund item. Representative O’Brien said construction for the Fisher House had not begun and the project lacked a secured plot of land.

During debate, members discussed retention problems among veteran service officers, who reported pay disparities compared with county and federal agencies; the amendment provides general-fund increases intended to address those disparities. Representative Nelson mentioned availability of commemorative coins for Vietnam veterans and other outreach efforts in the department.

The committee record shows the amendment was moved as amendment 25.0192 0.02003 and carried on a recorded roll; the clerk recorded the final do-pass motion as carried 22–0–1. The committee did not adopt any changes removing the salary-related language beyond the amendment’s adjustments.

The bill now moves to the House floor with Representative O’Brien as carrier; committee discussion indicated staff will follow up with more precise accounting of the highly rural transportation grant balances and the department’s administrative use percentages.","The House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment and sent amended Senate Bill 2025 out of committee with additional general-fund spending, a restored FTE for a veterans benefits specialist, and changes to governance language for the Veterans Home and department oversight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations panel recommends do-not-pass on $5 million rural endowment bill

Appropriations committee backs $5 million rural development fund carried by regional councils, lowers population threshold

Committee scales back Clean Sustainable Energy Authority funding to Senate numbers, extends authority and adds water director to board

Appropriations committee votes to not pass library bill after debate over fiscal impacts and criminal-exposure language

House appropriations panel adds $1.2 million, restores FTE for Department of Veterans Affairs in Senate Bill 2025