House Bill 14‑87 was presented by Representative Hedlund as a vehicle to transfer a small Department of Transportation parcel in Minot and make up to $4.9 million available for construction of a new facility to house the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The committee discussed the proposal but took no final vote during the hearing.

Hedlund said agencies jointly sought the project because both were losing existing leases and had not found suitable replacement spaces in local lease markets. “They’re both losing their leases … they thought this would be a way to go for the future,” Hedlund said.

Patrick Leonard, a BCI representative, told the committee the planned facility would be primarily standard office space but would include specialized elements: secure, ventilated evidence rooms, garage space for patrol vehicles that require year‑round temperature control, and a shared training/briefing room. “We also have … evidence rooms that have to be specified,” Leonard said, noting the office currently occupies leased space inside the Job Service building in North Minot.

Chief Tom Iverson of the Highway Patrol said the agency leases about 3,600 square feet at roughly $10 per square foot and faces building‑condition issues, including mold and mice, and lease instability because the landlord may sell. He said the patrol’s current lease costs approximately $72,000 per biennium and that the agency needs more suitable, stable space.

Committee members asked about alternatives, including renovating the existing Job Service building, where BCI presently leases about 5,000 square feet. Leonard said renovating and buying that building — including required garage additions and relocation costs — was estimated at roughly $4.344 million (about $4.5–4.6M with relocation) while new construction on DOT land was estimated in the bill at up to $4.9 million. Representatives discussed whether OMB should have placed the request in its budget; committee members said ownership and leasing administration were a factor and that OMB would likely hold the property and lease space to state agencies.

The committee asked for additional details on square footage, specifications and alternative leasing options. No committee vote or appropriation was recorded at the hearing; committee members indicated they would follow up with OMB, DOT, BCI and Highway Patrol for cost comparisons and site specifics.