Appropriations committee backs Historical Society budget emphasizing exhibits, NAGPRA compliance and building preservation
February 21, 2025 | Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota
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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.
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.
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