[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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",6127360,"mediaKeyId","2663489-ffc19ae33b08ce06b60b6a4b0a96aa20","parentId",2663489,"title","Bill would divert oil tax dollars to help Hub Cities pay legacy infrastructure debt; mayors and industry urge approval","audioSeconds",4635,"startMs",3776000,"endMs",8411000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663489-ffc19ae33b08ce06b60b6a4b0a96aa20&start=3776&end=8411","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663489-ffc19ae33b08ce06b60b6a4b0a96aa20/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127360/North-Dakota/Bill-would-divert-oil-tax-dollars-to-help-Hub-Cities-pay-legacy-infrastructure-debt-mayors-and-industry-urge-approval","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127360-e2e98222f7c19e86e9c46290c76123a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654292&Signature=ZpTJCSqjuCIiGjlixE9WJa6QN0gNWkzCofGL06lsnfb2500pF694Jfbl3~sCg~KL~RmD1~2XgB9kXwAgg-LrEYjdL~2yYjQtygTjUHJeDT0Pt9SBkgqW~TPHCzODts-AqUFSZQO64FEoHeeI-vAEN~cC~iSpEDFKaoNKtIvx6e1V594IfnUXtoRovoclDJmJ2CZEvZz~AN7WtmlMv53uAvaTrdhYaJAUZrf5umIaurt5RbETb3mzKy95W3~6DT9uN94SjdW32BD5P2oEKuFgRYQ3zJL84VJyi7kDO6W8Y0McAO3Xr0Y~RGwIufhzBuISfACaW56wo9QjxLRR4qu5XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Brad Beckettall, R‑District 1 (Williston) introduced Senate Bill 2323, which would appropriate $20 million annually to an Energy Impact Fund earmarked for the three designated Hub Cities — Williston, Minot and Dickinson — to reduce debt incurred to accommodate oil‑industry growth.

Beckettall told the committee that the Hub City formula adopted in 2013 shifted gross production tax (GPT) distributions and created buckets of funding that did not fully anticipate the long‑term debt and operating costs the three largest oil‑region cities would carry. \"This bill seeks to provide a $20,000,000 annual appropriation to the Energy Impact Fund for distribution to Hub Cities, specifically to reduce the debt burdens that remain from infrastructure improvements necessary to accommodate the oil industry growth,\" Beckettall said.

The bill would make that $20 million available from the state share of oil and gas tax allocations by adjusting how strategic investment fund (SIF) and other buckets are allocated. Beckettall and legislative staff explained the proposal would reduce the SIF allocation by $80 million (from $400 million to $320 million) in order to hold Operation Prairie Dog harmless while providing the $40 million per biennium (equivalent to $20 million annually) to the Energy Impact Fund. Beckettall said the adjustment is intended to pay roughly 58% of oil‑related city debt over six biennia while preserving other state commitments elsewhere in the bucket flowchart.

Williston officials described large, city‑level projects taken on during the boom. Howard Koluga, identified in testimony as council president and referred to as mayor of Williston, said the city built a new airport (a project he described as roughly $300,000,000), constructed a mechanical wastewater treatment plant (about $120,000,000), and added fire and ambulance capacity; the city’s remaining debt related to those projects and oil impacts was described in testimony as significant. Sean Wanko, Williston city administrator, told the committee the city budgets about $28–30 million a year in gross production tax and that the city’s annual ongoing debt obligation is about $28 million.

Minot Mayor Tom Ross said Minot pursued a conservative debt strategy after the 2011 flood, relying on sales tax, special funds and property taxes; he said the city deferred maintenance and critical projects and that the bill’s funding would free revenue now allocated to debt service so Minot could address overdue maintenance.

Dickinson Mayor Scott Decker told the committee his city has held its property tax collections flat for seven years and faces rising operating costs, new ambulance service responsibilities and infrastructure needs. He said his city’s serviceable debt is about $6.5 million annually and that new or deferred projects are accumulating.

Industry and association witnesses supported the bill. Jeff Simon of the Western Dakota Energy Association cited annual oil production and observed that the $20 million ask is small relative to county‑level oil revenue flows. Ron Nuss of the North Dakota Petroleum Council described Williston’s transient workforce and the city’s outsized service demands during exploration and drilling activity; he urged support as a way to preserve the economic driver the industry represents for the state.

Committee members asked whether changing the city/county split in the GPT formula might be an alternative, and Beckettall said counties continue to report road and related needs that justify their current shares. Staff and the senator also discussed the latest revenue forecast and price assumptions: legislative staff noted lower price assumptions would reduce SIF fills irrespective of the bill because the measure includes a hold‑harmless adjustment of $80 million to prevent direct reductions to Operation Prairie Dog.

Several city witnesses described constrained local options. Williston’s finance director, Hercules Cummings, said the city has used sales tax, water‑rate increases and bond refinancing to manage shortfalls; Wanko said Williston transferred $9 million from GPT to offset public safety last year. Williston Mayor Koluga told the committee, \"We will pay it back. We haven't defaulted on any debt, and, actually, our credit rating has gone up over the last few years.\" He described the strain of operating ambulance services and public safety capacity created during boom years.

Supporters asked the committee to recommend a due pass; the hearing record shows extensive testimony in favor but no committee vote on final passage of SB 2323 during the hearing. The committee closed the hearing and will consider the bill as it moves through the chamber.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Finance and Taxation Monday, Mar 17, 2025 8:55 AM - 12:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. Brad Beckettall introduced SB 2323 to provide $20 million annually to an Energy Impact Fund that would help the Hub Cities — Williston, Minot and Dickinson — pay debt and operating costs tied to oil‑industry growth.","taxTitle","Finance and Taxation, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28891,"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},6127363,"Committee recommends due pass for resolution honoring NCSL's 50th anniversary and moves it to consent calendar",389,2171000,2560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663489-ffc19ae33b08ce06b60b6a4b0a96aa20&start=2171&end=2560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663489-ffc19ae33b08ce06b60b6a4b0a96aa20/thumbnail_2171000.jpg","/articles/6127363/North-Dakota/Committee-recommends-due-pass-for-resolution-honoring-NCSLs-50th-anniversary-and-moves-it-to-consent-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127363-cc0152f958a1d9424f1aca0ac9cd4d42/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654292&Signature=A-JCgkB-28pANJYJZfk3QTmJusEA2k4X3yZHrxAR70JFMQ7OZrAhz5N0AMJ27wTvfNqZYftY2doO0w0TpyeK9slBYyGVfTkbIvG7NoJP-e1AJ~CQ3TBUTC2BfT1zxsCrcAwgOr5h05iOJy4eIa8E0gFL4aYE~J~U4l6DRfxwAejWaMaAcu9dyql5aiBquagl~4IyjpW-iRK5OPOrjuAtUBhQymneLjWKW8mOAnR2WlydV8DdmW2d~nKpycQ9FwLCc15fa07ubEJ89nnBUWsCcXo9k3xOojjP-zaWG7OQ4k-G78DUCriCpeubQERw1YU3TGbhKB931i-1Gn-NKer8MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Bjornson, director of legislative council, appeared to introduce Senate Concurrent Resolution 4020, which would congratulate and recognize the National Conference of State Legislatures on its 50th anniversary. Bjornson described NCSL as a bipartisan legislative service organization that provides research, policy support and a forum for state legislative leaders; he said the organization’s annual summit and standing committees inform state policy.

Bjornson told the committee the NCSL president alternates between the two major parties and that the organization acts on bipartisan policy positions approved by committee and business meetings. He noted the group will mark its 50th anniversary at its summer summit in Boston, Aug. 4–6.

Representative Steiner asked why the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) does not receive the same state reimbursement as NCSL; Bjornson said the legislature is a dues‑paying member of NCSL and the state is a dues‑paying member of the Council of State Governments, but that the state has not been a dues‑paying member of ALEC to his knowledge.

Representative Anderson moved a due‑pass recommendation on SCR 4020; Representative Olson seconded. The committee recorded a voice roll indicating majority support; the chair later accepted a motion by Representative Ista, seconded by Representative Haggart, to move the resolution to the consent calendar. The motion to place the resolution on consent carried by voice vote.

By committee action the congratulatory resolution will be placed on the House consent calendar for expedited consideration.

","The Finance and Taxation Committee recommended a due‑pass on SCR 4020, a resolution congratulating the National Conference of State Legislatures on its 50th anniversary, and voted to place the resolution on the consent calendar.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127367,"Committee backs resolution urging legal challenge to National Popular Vote compact",1142,321000,1463000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663489-ffc19ae33b08ce06b60b6a4b0a96aa20&start=321&end=1463","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663489-ffc19ae33b08ce06b60b6a4b0a96aa20/thumbnail_321000.jpg","/articles/6127367/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-resolution-urging-legal-challenge-to-National-Popular-Vote-compact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127367-01847044bcb6533311ba19fccaece66f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654292&Signature=WBLCg9tYOERbpNXAmGfp-Al5KALkIBWcI27nGgKwKoEKCw4SJu2znCypfvhIo-Z4HrldH0us5kNRAXejdACo9T7VwIerQ~n1BCI~Z2MNUfXQeeTuLdPAeY2~iZLxSU0d93pBwJvUCBW6lqjwkGw4uwrfqPKzSDFlPa0y5XsUy9ZOvRFmVQ7lu3ju70HwfmNOu-0K48-Etf-mCRx2FpPkeSLqrfR9TDCNNqRYe2VPoY17J4HDwY-9X~0jK0Hqzt85LUM8zuXVh9kFHMPo1wZnK8IBdnmr5dwNVDPsDBDsTSNRsB0QSB-kmHoWRgPh3kA~Rmi~~BClUmDVNtOGuE2LEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Jonathan Sickler, R‑District 17 of Grand Forks, told the House Finance and Taxation Committee he introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 4013 to organize a group of states to challenge the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact if that compact ever reaches the 270‑electoral‑vote threshold and becomes effective.

The resolution would invite states not in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to join an opposing compact that would form a legal challenge only if the original compact became operative. Sickler told the committee the National Popular Vote compact currently represents 209 electoral votes and “that compact takes effect once they get to a majority,” meaning 270 electoral votes, and his measure is built to respond if it ever reaches that point.

Sickler argued the Electoral College preserves geographic representation and said a national popular vote would push candidates toward population centers. \"We are a Democratic Republic, not a straight democracy,\" he said. He told the committee the opposing compact would be prepared to mount a constitutional challenge and that his written testimony cites legal analyses supporting why the National Popular Vote Compact could be vulnerable in court.

A member of the public, Vicky Waldau Rosenau of Valley City, testified in opposition during public comment, calling the Electoral College “antiquated” and arguing for a direct popular vote. \"The antiquated undemocratic electoral college system for electing the president of The United States Of America needs to be abandoned and assuredly not endorsed,\" Rosenau told the committee.

Committee members asked about timing, legal differences between compacts and whether the proposed opposing compact could face the same constitutional problems. Sickler said his draft is framed as a less‑formal cooperation agreement and would not present the same congressional‑approval question that the National Popular Vote Compact raises under the U.S. Constitution, according to his testimony.

Representative Olson moved to recommend a due pass on SCR 4013; Representative Machtenbacher seconded. The committee recorded the following vote on the due‑pass recommendation: Chairman Hedlund, Yes; Vice Chair Haggart, Yes; Representative Anderson, Yes; Representative Dockser, Yes; Representative Dressler, Yes; Representative Greenheck, Abstain; Representative Machtenbacher, Yes; Representative Nehring, Yes; Representative Olson, Yes (mover); Representative Porter, Yes; Representative Steiner, Yes; Representative Toman, Yes; Representative Fosse, No; Representative Ista, No. The clerk announced the tally as 11 Yes, 2 No, 1 Abstain; motion carried.

With the committee recommendation, the resolution advances from the committee to the next House floor steps for consideration.

","The House Finance and Taxation Committee recommended a due-pass on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4013, a measure introduced by Sen. Jonathan Sickler asking North Dakota to join an opposing interstate compact and prepare a legal challenge if the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact reaches the 270-elector threshold.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would divert oil tax dollars to help Hub Cities pay legacy infrastructure debt; mayors and industry urge approval

Committee recommends due pass for resolution honoring NCSL's 50th anniversary and moves it to consent calendar

Committee backs resolution urging legal challenge to National Popular Vote compact