The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee convened on April 18, 2025, to discuss several key funding initiatives, including support for human trafficking education and cybercrime prevention efforts.

One of the significant topics was the allocation of $685,000 for grants aimed at assisting victims of human trafficking. This funding is intended to bolster an educational campaign previously approved by the chamber, which aims to raise awareness and provide resources related to human trafficking. Senator Dwyer was invited to comment on the initiative but did not provide additional remarks during the meeting.

The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 2330, which was recently agreed upon in a conference committee. This bill focuses on providing educational resources for three grades each year, further supporting the human trafficking education initiative.

Another notable discussion involved the reallocation of $964,000 from the insurance regulatory trust fund to the Attorney General's budget, a move linked to existing programs. The specifics of the legislation prompting this change were not fully detailed in the meeting.

Additionally, the committee addressed funding for litigation expenses, proposing to carry over $3 million from a previous appropriation, which would increase the total available for the litigation pool to $8 million. This decision reflects the expectation that most of the previously allocated funds would remain unspent by the end of the biennium.

The meeting also included a proposal for $161,000 to equip two new cybercrime agents, with the city of Grand Forks contributing office space and additional operational costs amounting to approximately $181,000. However, the Senate removed $110,000 previously allocated for a program supporting retired law enforcement dogs.

Lastly, the committee discussed amendments related to the 24/7 sobriety program, specifically preventing judges from waiving associated fees, which aims to enhance compliance and accountability within the program.

Overall, the discussions highlighted the committee's focus on enhancing public safety and education through targeted funding initiatives. The next steps will involve further deliberation on these proposals as they move through the legislative process.