[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6322323,"mediaKeyId","2348109-fcc538a923b0a58b2b72013ce1e834fe","parentId",2348109,"title","Appropriations panel raises Science Center grant to $10M, approves $20,000 for Teen Pack; ESAs left out of DPI budget","audioSeconds",511,"startMs",342000,"endMs",853000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348109-fcc538a923b0a58b2b72013ce1e834fe&start=342&end=853","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348109-fcc538a923b0a58b2b72013ce1e834fe/thumbnail_342000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6322323/North-Dakota/Appropriations-panel-raises-Science-Center-grant-to-10M-approves-20000-for-Teen-Pack-ESAs-left-out-of-DPI-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322323-d9526534cfb46892b22d901d54eab7a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776139984&Signature=fK0aFAsFxJbeO8vc~LoYDlc5M-utvUJLYGuwYuqfhVolpudbrpJFPhUbswNAq~fhUn6cV~0SbMSuxjafobSB2Pw~5SgYp~D43XczCRoPeXdCkOecDqyZo0d6bkagtGY-b9FFalJ0h8aXWAGOTVgN05REJfix8Oq~CUNKEf2sUihQvSCiVtdtiblNkdTZGVli3D5tn3y1wI3a2~TruJdZsY13Px0EJSE1xWUu7HkFoNhpT6lHwkB4cw0kkUYdD7Rk-3Hrac~2rJYdB1A1F8G-8EiGWtwb~KuG0b0sDDPn0a7FacuovtEPPyE~pHGHqVUmRIlIzAOF0fXGEh~D2wbEog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","article","Bismarck — The House Appropriations — Education & Environment Division on Feb. 18 amended the Department of Public Instruction budget in House Bill 1013, approving a motion to increase a Science Center pass-through grant from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 and authorizing a new $20,000 passthrough to Teen Pack, a homeschool student program.

Why it matters: The committee’s changes redistribute limited state funds within the DPI long sheet while leaving open larger policy choices — including whether the budget will be funded at a “2 and 2” level now or changed to “3 and 3” depending on action on separate legislation (House Bill 1369) and whether any appropriations for education savings accounts (ESAs) are added later.

Representative Richter, leading the DPI discussion, said several line items were adjusted in the short sheet and described program changes including a $3.5 million allocation for the ND RISE mentoring program and a reduction of the Robokine pilot to $250,000. Richter also said Cognia’s previously proposed school claw-back language had been removed: “Cognia is completely paid for through state funds,” he said.

Representative Martinson moved to increase the Science Center grant from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. Reverend Karla Rose Hansen seconded the motion. The committee recorded one “no” vote from Chairman Naithi and six “yes” votes; the motion passed. Martinson opened the motion saying, “I move that we change the 5,000,000 to 10,000,000. 5 million each for Grand Forks and Fargo.” After the roll call, the clerk announced the motion passed.

Martinson later moved to add a $20,000 pass-through for Teen Pack under pass-through grants; Reverend Lausser seconded. The clerk recorded the roll call; the motion passed.

Committee members also discussed larger policy bills that affect the DPI budget. Representative Richter described House Bill 1369 as a policy bill that could alter funding levels: the bill “would increase this budget … by $38,000,000” if enacted at the larger funding level known in committee as “3 and 3.” Sheila (legislative staff) advised members that if the committee leaves the DPI budget at “3 and 3,” the current appropriations would be underfunded and the policy bill should be resolved before final appropriations. Richter and staff said it is common to move the short sheet now at a baseline (2 and 2) and address any increases in the full Appropriations committee if 1369 is advanced.

On ESAs, Richter noted the executive budget included an ESA line at about $44.2 million but that “we’re taking that out” of the DPI budget because “other legislation” addressing ESAs is expected. Sheila added that an appropriations section could be added to whichever ESA bill lawmakers ultimately advance.

Other DPI short-sheet adjustments discussed included: ND RISE mentoring at $3.5 million; a Robokine pilot reduced from $500,000 to $250,000 over two years; language granting DPI spending authority for local food in schools and childcare provider cooperatives; and removal of language that had allowed Cognia to collect fees from schools.

What’s next: Committee members said they expect to move the short sheet to full Appropriations in the coming days and to reconcile changes that may result from House Bill 1369 or separate ESA legislation there.

Votes at a glance

- Increase Science Center grant from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. Motion by Representative Martinson; second Reverend Karla Rose Hansen. Roll call recorded: Yes — 6; No — 1. Outcome: approved.

- Add $20,000 pass-through for Teen Pack. Motion by Representative Martinson; second Reverend Lausser. Roll call recorded: Yes — 6; No — 1. Outcome: approved.

Sources and quotations in this article come from the Appropriations — Education & Environment Division transcript for Feb. 18, 2025. The article does not include any actions or attributions not present in that transcript.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Wednesday, Feb 19, 2025 8:26 AM - 9:17 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Bismarck — The House Appropriations — Education & Environment Division on Feb. 18 amended the Department of Public Instruction budget in House Bill 1013, approving a motion to increase a Science Center pass-through grant from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 and authorizing a new $20,000 passthrough to Teen Pack.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28886,"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},6322318,"Appropriations subcommittee outlines $78.7M military gallery plan in State Historical Society budget; state share split between SIF and BND line of credit",274,1875000,2149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348109-fcc538a923b0a58b2b72013ce1e834fe&start=1875&end=2149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348109-fcc538a923b0a58b2b72013ce1e834fe/thumbnail_1875000.jpg","/articles/6322318/North-Dakota/Appropriations-subcommittee-outlines-787M-military-gallery-plan-in-State-Historical-Society-budget-state-share-split-between-SIF-and-BND-line-of-credit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6322318-c6cae4dce33ece74d318f1016e730da6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776139984&Signature=f3QhDwuaRLW8~7CDLS00FlWZL5nKYEBJEu351ZBoAXcQ6-AWf4JuQW71zzNDIub57zN1rlBTsVN-DPLkQm3TjwtSFkPYQ1Qqycz88iKhdTGOHc-LnWN1fRo2LdCOom1zkJl2eLy41rTvWxh8URcbUs-NQfpOCbUg-xxC2DYD2B1czSLbnze52breMHojiJneNYP4a~zZoqB9DOiNS6wS6Uk29CDVXOGjTl-2mhEdHeOlkACEZbCUD2~M3tZdaXJ5KmGlI-o8pmMCaQLNFk2SfVO0CdKOUCYDE~pA762cj1Ar96IrLBWpHk6bNClKOn96cyTZnjNYnlqAJPAAfrDCTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bismarck — Members of the House Appropriations — Education & Environment Division on Feb. 18 reviewed updates to the State Historical Society budget in House Bill 1018, focusing on a proposed $78.7 million expansion of the military gallery that pairs a $40,000,000 state contribution with $38,700,000 in expected private donations.

Why it matters: The military gallery expansion is the largest single change in the Historical Society long sheet and would draw substantial state investment, requiring decisions about financing that include SIF (State Investment Fund) resources and a Bank of North Dakota line of credit.

Representative Karla Rose Hansen, who presented the updated long sheet, described the three-part financial plan for the military gallery: “The total is $78,700,000. Of this, $40,000,000 will come from the state and $38.7 will come from donations,” she said. Hansen and staff explained the State portion would be split into $20,000,000 from SIF and $20,000,000 secured as a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota.

Hansen and staff outlined a construction timeline supplied by the project architects: ground-breaking in July 2025, construction completion in November 2027, and final payments extending into the first quarter of 2028. The committee noted the Senate could choose a different financing strategy (bonding) and that the House plan could be revisited when both chambers reconcile budgets.

Staff reported that about $4,200,000 already needs repayment to the Bank of North Dakota for architect fees and exhibit planning; the long sheet includes a provision to repay that amount from SIF. The committee also retained a $700,000 exhibit refresh line for the State Museum, changing the funding mix so $250,000 would come from SIF and $250,000 from donations rather than relying fully on donations.

Representative Hansen also reviewed smaller historic‑preservation pass-throughs and one‑time grants appearing on the long sheet. The House version includes funding requests such as:

- $250,000 — Ellendale Opera House historic storefront/renovation work
- $250,000 — Historic movie theater (Mystic Theater / Marmarth Historical Society) roof and exterior repairs
- $200,000 — Sargent County Historical Society museum repairs after a building collapse
- $100,000 — Williston Old Armory step repairs (a $350,000 project)

Representative Martinson proposed offsetting those three new pass-through grants by reducing the Madora area planning appropriation by $550,000 (moving funds that were previously shown at about $4.1 million in SIF). Levi (appropriations staff) clarified that the committee had previously placed a placeholder for the Mandora planning funds in SIF and asked whether the new projects should be funded from SIF as well; members agreed to keep the adjustments consistent with SIF funding. Committee members agreed to proceed with the reallocation.

What’s next: The Historical Society long sheet will be revised to reflect the funding-source split for the military gallery and the new one-time pass-throughs; representatives said the Senate side may alter financing (bonding vs. line of credit) and private fundraising progress will affect final plans. Committee staff asked for the final amendments and statements of purpose in the coming days so the items can move to full Appropriations.

","The committee discussed House Bill 1018, which adds a $78.7 million military gallery project to the State Historical Society budget with a $40 million state contribution and $38.7 million in donations. The state portion is proposed to be split $20 million from the State Investment Fund and $20 million via a Bank of North Dakota line of credit.","actionData","errors"]

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Appropriations panel raises Science Center grant to $10M, approves $20,000 for Teen Pack; ESAs left out of DPI budget

Appropriations subcommittee outlines $78.7M military gallery plan in State Historical Society budget; state share split between SIF and BND line of credit