[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6088542,"mediaKeyId","2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0","parentId",2880016,"title","Committee approves agriculture budget amendments including new plant protection FTE and food‑pantry grants","audioSeconds",8351,"startMs",8360000,"endMs",8986,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0&start=8360&end=8","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0/thumbnail_8360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088542/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-agriculture-budget-amendments-including-new-plant-protection-FTE-and-foodpantry-grants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088542-508f60a80ecdb0af8b46863ed72036ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149275&Signature=gm5CS~f4dZxU8YDJW88fmEOYmCRHeiPFiSDl7q2EgNWHJfsl2ApuUVUy959myhpVkleOSEmkjGeR-L1GfeB3vBv7V7Bpl40AtVQi8UCMxfaEfnvhNMtTuzO6gUsbIwBWd8gQhrJcEWHHqKs7kOCGvjGKa2Yp6b~5IlsWqQdd3rzVI6X0hCOmBE46qlUb~A4hEtorlCMRMY5WAUmSxWdI9V9aehmQfO5L50en7ZhZGvH6tAvnBwCoHEamvOKyn71Pw0ZoTw56akYTuq0Z2v97WripAPWpPHzJfg0PxQ0hErNvoE6A768APCt3sIv7KiIVQvjz6OurOFpQi83FpPaD0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-04T00:00:00Z","article","Legislative counsel summarized Senate changes to the House version of House Bill 1009 (Department of Agriculture) and the committee approved the bill as amended.

Nut graf: The Senate amendments added a plant protection FTE and operating funding, restored $80,000 for the grape and wine grant program, increased wildlife services funding by $150,000, converted certain one‑time items to ongoing status, and added one‑time Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund (SIF) grants for food pantry protein purchases and autonomous technology pilot grants.

Grant (legislative counsel) told the committee the Senate added one new plant protection FTE with $113,382 of combined general fund and Environment and Rangeland Protection Fund support and $41,396 for operating expenses; salary funding was reallocated from existing pools producing a net reduction of $18,537 in general‑fund salary totals. The Senate also removed a $250,000 house provision and provided $500,000 total for state fleet rate increases.

The amendments added $80,000 to restore grape and wine grant funding; $150,000 from the environment and rangeland protection fund for wildlife services (to a total of $1,807,400); moved $3,000,000 from Bank of North Dakota profits and $400,000 general fund items from one‑time to ongoing, and added SIF one‑time funding of $2,000,000 for meat/protein grants to food pantries and $500,000 for autonomous technology grants.

The committee took a motion for a due‑pass as amended on HB1009; the roll call showed the motion carried (several members recorded “yes”; the committee left the roll open for one member absent). The committee chair said the bill will move forward to full committee action as the committee’s carrier.

Ending: Committee approved the agriculture budget as amended and will carry it forward to the full committee for consideration.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Friday, Apr 4, 2025 8:28 AM - 10:58 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Government Operations Division approved Senate amendments to the Department of Agriculture budget (House Bill 1009), adding one plant protection FTE, restoring small grants, increasing wildlife services funding and adding one‑time SIF grants for pantry protein and autonomous technology.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Government Operations Division, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28900,"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},6088551,"Bill to limit direct China holdings in legacy fund draws technical questions from investment office",3659,277000,3936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0&start=277&end=3936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0/thumbnail_277000.jpg","/articles/6088551/North-Dakota/Bill-to-limit-direct-China-holdings-in-legacy-fund-draws-technical-questions-from-investment-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088551-f2aabef53e6135b45e24246e59be8d6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149275&Signature=VwP0SlLdRQ65MKUAEwMVTpkBxkvoc54aOrHqrs8Je3r1G9gRraAuC1Pdz51M2598ljMt58qA2~ffY4rYRsBIqyigmtwgXIwSwvhSwI7xbWDWwLMGlMnGbqRWRXCo1JjrxL5S5URWXznKd-826MsQU40PkTNBsqhIdKBSfYraICfAyeac9bFSAsGXONg3uNgY86~35gWl-95swng3~HIOrZm8Piun~BHKDuPdGFANEQ~w412C~LQ5iETIuf8V42jBidyyUNvJTAa1T8~-Opf1WO3JIoXEYZ4gVlxD5tgM7H0SCds5fCaT4o9Mn14tT1Icj3d0UpnUluKtCFoIv8b1hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Bernie Satrim (R‑District 12) introduced House Bill 13‑30 to the Government Operations Division committee, saying the measure would require divestment of direct state holdings in companies domiciled in China and encourage additional in‑state investment from the Legacy Fund.

Nut graf: The Retirement and Investment Office (RIO) staff told lawmakers the bill, as drafted, focuses on direct public securities with limited market exposure but raises practical issues about commingled funds, legal prudence and how the State Investment Board (SIB) would implement divestment without unduly reducing expected portfolio returns.

Satrim opened by describing past efforts to avoid investments he said could support human rights abuses or foreign adversaries. “We were invested in [companies] that spied on the religious activity of the Uyghur people,” Representative Bernie Satrim said. He framed the bill as “a pathway to go forward to divest” and said he prefers investing in North Dakota businesses when possible.

Jody Smith, interim executive director of the Retirement and Investment Office, outlined how the bill changed during the House process and what RIO staff negotiated. Smith said earlier versions would have required selling roughly $6,000,000,000 worth of holdings but that committee work narrowed the draft to direct investments totaling about $22,000,000. She also clarified that the fund’s commingled holdings total far more: the legacy fund’s broader portfolio is on the order of tens of billions (she cited $24,000,000,000 for the full portfolio and roughly $3,100,000,000 for a referenced legacy fund balance; commingled holdings within that were described as approximately $640,000,000).

Smith explained the bill includes language invoking the “prudent investor rule,” which recognizes that avoiding certain investments may reduce expected returns. “By divesting from our exposure in China would mean that essentially we're leaving money on the table,” she said, noting recent returns tied to Chinese exposure.

Scott Anderson, chief investment officer at RIO, described the practical implications of codifying exclusions. He said RIO uses asset allocation and third‑party managers to balance return and risk across the entire portfolio, and that excluding a major country or category can raise risk or lower return if not offset by other investments. “When we underwrite an investment in the legacy fund ... the return on the investment would have to offset that diversification cost,” Anderson said.

Committee members asked detailed implementation questions: how “direct investment” is defined, whether the bill would force sales of holdings in commingled vehicles, how RIO would determine whether an investment is “beneficial to the state,” and whether the statute should single out China or use a broader category such as “foreign adversaries.” Smith and Anderson repeatedly said the bill as drafted targets separately managed direct public securities and that commingled funds do not disclose underlying holdings the same way.

Discussion ended without a committee vote. Committee members and RIO staff agreed to draft clarified amendment language: senators requested adding an explicit financial‑return standard to any “beneficial to the state” language and asked legislative counsel to propose specific text. The committee indicated it will work with RIO on amendment language and return to the bill at a future meeting.

Ending: The committee closed the record on testimony and directed staff to work with RIO and sponsors on amendment language addressing the “may/shall” drafting choices, the prudent investor exception, and clearer definitions for “China company” and “direct investment.”","Representative Bernie Satrim (R‑District 12) introduced House Bill 13‑30, asking the committee to require divestment of direct state holdings in companies domiciled in China and to add limited authority for in‑state legacy fund investments.",{"_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},6088546,"Panel directs legislative counsel to draft Commerce grant language for regional implementation program",671,6754000,7425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0&start=6754&end=7425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0/thumbnail_6754000.jpg","/articles/6088546/North-Dakota/Panel-directs-legislative-counsel-to-draft-Commerce-grant-language-for-regional-implementation-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088546-79c969c24a6645cce0cf802ebaa7bf84/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149275&Signature=Uzg25aPLDejEww0wCJlsFGvAlOmYevG0n5NOtmfBGrXeG50B9pVjrMZCd5AIUHyxMlJ~KClSWA9OsOWUicYTe24avEOL3JbMicxML4PdaMtjZq48lagsA-Wnxl3lKpsIjWeNBY7H7svi2m~hDCMqFboQJ7RwYkaaQjhifuKDMfvKrVcXXQYwbc-eTWNhjBf5ZhyjTdXNPgqy1Iwn~bfi1P5oexovKUIkJPQVim3mdpqhIftJbhZBY0MQu8dcAUNUbXz3ryxDFUnGcAMi6J0~LIdw1cWheqZOK~NWIInk3vAjfPBI5X5Eb2mlsflhhKnTnEigwkWMkG~jIqvfBxlvhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Dwyer asked the committee to add policy language to House Bill 15‑24 authorizing the Department of Commerce to award grants to regional development councils or other local entities to implement state‑authorized programs, including housing, workforce, rural catalyst and local food/grocery initiatives.

Nut graf: The committee supported drafting a statutory amendment to place grant authority in the Commerce chapter of the Century Code and asked legislative counsel to prepare language; funding was left for conference committee consideration.

Dwyer’s proposed language stated the Commerce Department “may award grants to regional development councils or other local entities to support local and regional implementation of state authorized programs and initiatives, including housing, workforce, rural catalyst, local food and grocery.” He told the committee the policy is a directive to Commerce and that actual funding, if any, should be decided in the commerce budget conference process.

Legislative counsel (Grant) and staff (Levi) confirmed the provision could be added either to the commerce code chapter or the regional planning chapter; the committee favored putting it in the Commerce chapter so authority is clearly directed to the department. Committee members discussed whether to specify an appropriation amount now; several members preferred adding policy authority and deciding funding during the commerce budget conference to avoid jeopardizing passage.

Ending: The committee asked legislative counsel to draft the proposed amendment and to return with formal language (Grama) in time for committee action next Monday; the question of whether to include an appropriation was deferred to conference committee negotiations.
","Senator Dwyer proposed an amendment to HB15‑24 to let the Department of Commerce award grants to regional development councils and local entities for state‑authorized program implementation; the committee asked legislative counsel to draft formal language.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088549,"Committee hears testimony to extend coal conversion tax holiday to help lignite plants",2281,2695000,4976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0&start=2695&end=4976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0/thumbnail_2695000.jpg","/articles/6088549/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-testimony-to-extend-coal-conversion-tax-holiday-to-help-lignite-plants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088549-009de36f8d1c2ccc467ccf9a6c895b48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149275&Signature=j62PIeDI-MgoR7zDdMW8rytLNSrq7WyLc6FB9u2p4wjy0Y3ujnqdHgTW4iw5Ffa7qAQ7oIFjbffwgUUxHYKU72v~9sF5wU8s8qQknAH5QXOKwyWD53f842ulOJox~PIduxYrGBEAORIEi-xyVFZYVu9MVTDeaOC7crHz9RSx8iJYAvXOZxQrLWAhHyftDUrk3aoj-rAmhX7Bb9J1DaJFLRMyYifZJF0rvlG9ND-88ZjIWJNb5SDdaDvB4vLiuqLff2SoQzH4O1YGi-moVwajXpQV-sa2R3n1-MUW2hKPDVfMIIoFhmD~FOR2zv546MLjwZN~2Oo5dzl78pCYWp7D7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Anna Novak (R‑District 33) and Jonathan Fortner of the Lignite Energy Council presented House Bill 12‑79 to extend coal conversion tax relief for lignite power plants, saying the measure helps keep electricity affordable and preserves jobs tied to mines and plants.

Nut graf: Industry witnesses told the committee that the coal conversion tax holiday supported plant economics during a period of regulatory and market pressure; proponents described modest state cost in return for preserving a stable generation fleet and associated local economic activity.

Novak told the committee the bill is “about protecting affordable energy for every North Dakotan” and framed lignite plants as a reliable base resource. Jonathan Fortner, testifying for the Lignite Energy Council, outlined the policy history: the five‑year holiday applied during earlier market stress and was used again after 2021 to preserve plant operations. Fortner said legal costs and federal regulatory uncertainty remain high and that the industry spent more than $5,000,000 on legal fees over recent years.

Fortner said the Senate position would limit the extension to three years (as a compromise), costing roughly $10.5 million in reduced state receipts under that proposal; the House had initially offered a 10‑year full exemption. He described the industry’s economic footprint: about $5.5 billion in annual economic output, 12,000 jobs across mines and plants and roughly $100 million in tax revenue annually, about 85% of which goes to the state.

Committee members asked implementation questions about the fiscal note, county shares and how the exemption is split; Fortner and staff clarified the bill exempts a portion of the state share of the coal conversion tax while county shares and other levies remain unaffected. Fortner also described the interplay of regional electricity markets (Southwest Power Pool and MISO) and how coal plant retirements elsewhere affect market dynamics.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing on House Bill 12‑79 without a final vote. Senators indicated they will continue to consider the House and Senate positions and that the bill will return later in session for further action.
","Representative Anna Novak and industry witnesses presented House Bill 12‑79 to extend coal conversion tax relief for lignite power plants, arguing it eases legal and market pressures and helps preserve affordable base load electricity.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088538,"Committee approves adjutant general budget amendments and forwards bill as amended",225,7905000,8130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0&start=7905&end=8130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880016-257a2739416acd67d581e74517bb8ae0/thumbnail_7905000.jpg","/articles/6088538/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-adjutant-general-budget-amendments-and-forwards-bill-as-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088538-dc43589f54d193a8e651224800829118/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149275&Signature=jHVvG7z2JpewzYevXdtQhbFEg7aZ0tRgu~3KGqX~SexXXLHNsqxQikVk~V31njOau98uqA4enUJnRhLCOYvhfsAxhDtHJX35pxg7LyfP4WZ-bWv4qyMcpobWyDDVLSXcD1LvCAHmYsxpZEefrR1epD-Oiw-hpywzby~vcltEC7lopuToEB-0sL301Mn6MmvRpE1VGLngmojrPUFMVVC6Y-B6Knn1XwHLSPBBViknov0M6jj2CROwJ8zaH6jlqkK5QL85yG~f2juhcnHBRxGpPAOgvc5pG8QL5IOD-wj8T3x5IvUn7CR~ypHOMt1pjh1sNorgR1XFRedGYc3MvH7gPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee considered Senate amendments to House Bill 10‑16 (Adjutant General) and approved the bill as amended.

Nut graf: The Senate changes included adding authority for one unfunded Next‑Generation Leader program FTE (the sponsor said the position would be funded from tuition/exempt monies), removal of three FTEs previously authorized, and minor technical amendments; the committee adopted the Senate package and moved the bill for a due‑pass recommendation as amended.

Legislative counsel told the committee the only substantive change from the prior presentation was adding an unfunded Next‑Generation Leader program FTE; the Adjutant General’s office indicated the position will be supported from tuition exemptions. Committee members confirmed three FTE removals remain in the bill.

Senator Burkhart moved a due‑pass as amended on House Bill 10‑16; Senator Dwyer seconded. The roll call recorded several “aye” votes and the chair said the motion carries; the committee left a roll call open for one senator who was absent at the time.

Ending: The committee voted to forward House Bill 10‑16 as amended to the full committee; the senator carrying the bill will present it in subsequent actions.","The Government Operations Division approved Senate amendments to the Adjutant General budget (House Bill 10‑16), adding an unfunded Next‑Generation Leader FTE and removing three other FTEs, and forwarded the bill with a due‑pass recommendation as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves agriculture budget amendments including new plant protection FTE and food‑pantry grants

Bill to limit direct China holdings in legacy fund draws technical questions from investment office

Panel directs legislative counsel to draft Commerce grant language for regional implementation program

Committee hears testimony to extend coal conversion tax holiday to help lignite plants

Committee approves adjutant general budget amendments and forwards bill as amended