[{"_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",6272772,"mediaKeyId","3026141-767b7033b6aad5793878914b3db17d0b","parentId",3026141,"title","Appropriations committee trims Housing Opportunity Mobility Empowerment grant, allows existing lots to qualify","audioSeconds",1661,"startMs",479000,"endMs",2140000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026141-767b7033b6aad5793878914b3db17d0b&start=479&end=2140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026141-767b7033b6aad5793878914b3db17d0b/thumbnail_479000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272772/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-trims-Housing-Opportunity-Mobility-Empowerment-grant-allows-existing-lots-to-qualify","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272772-0f543e6fb728970911b78de09bef3157/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010256&Signature=TblwO5BPAIlm6stIAdt-NtbcjVpFHgqclTycn7Sgr73h53rSWZJPSz1bu78LCIaAuG2KxWUjc-upWXZ3eSZZrBWTMMsLeSTHIdagssOx4VNYNRIKSpRQWO2Ric6ntyn0kl6fnGe7GOvOERz6HNIs6UA8P1NFABhEHq1biPcBn29EFsiJ9eqnCcMZG-24ILpiqO-wGUFXyJPVCR3oWGzNgP8DmsZ4xPbyastbobSvaBsIESfdt01IaIMrkOBcfppA1jh4Xp1Lvq4ISfioLPvqMnzLxSwBM~a-527kILI7p4zeq4u5~~7UY3GoBxK1DjNgeTKxhyjwM0u0E0eOdJKCtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","The Appropriations Committee on Wednesday amended Senate Bill 2225, cutting the Housing Opportunity Mobility Empowerment Grant Program's requested funding and adding new eligibility language for existing lots.

The amendment reduces the bill's original $50,000,000 request by $20,000,000 and lowers the maximum grant available to a community from 1.5 to 1 (units not specified in the transcript). It also clarifies that infrastructure funds can be used on existing lots and makes communities provide a $2 local match for each $1 of state funding in the categories discussed. Representative Murphy moved the committee to give the bill a do-pass recommendation as amended; the amendment and the do-pass recommendation carried on roll calls reported as 22 yes, 0 no and 1 absent.

Why it matters: the program targets infrastructure and property-readiness work to make lots cheaper for homebuyers and to spur construction in smaller communities. Committee members said the change aims to prevent developers from receiving infrastructure subsidies without the savings being passed on to homebuyers.

Committee discussion and changes
Committee members discussed distribution categories by community population and whether the revised appropriation should change the breakdown between communities under 5,000 and those between 5,000 and 20,000. Representative Nelson and others raised concerns that the number of smaller communities may make access to grants uneven and suggested further discussion of the category allocations.

Representative Richter proposed the language allowing funds to be used after a house is built and sold so the subsidy reduces the ultimate price paid by the homeowner rather than being captured upfront by developers. Richter said, \"It's after you build it and sell it. Trying to put a guarantee in that they're not gonna take the infrastructure money and still charge the same price for the house. So the objective is to make sure that the price of the dwelling is reduced by the amount that's put in.\" Committee members, including Representative Kempenick and Representative Murphy, expressed support for that approach as a way to make lots cheaper and to target benefits to homebuyers.

Administration and scoring
Members asked which agency would administer and score grants. The committee heard that the Department of Commerce will oversee the program and develop a competitive scoring process. Commerce Commissioner Chris Shilkin said the department plans to tailor scoring to state needs and \"it's going to be so the lots will be cheaper,\" adding that applications failing to demonstrate reduced lot cost or local protections would not score well under the program.

Formal actions
- Motion to amend SB 2225 to (a) reduce the total appropriation by $20,000,000, (b) lower the maximum community grant from 1.5 to 1, (c) permit existing lots to qualify after certificate of occupancy/sale and (d) retain a $2 local : $1 state match: moved by Representative Murphy; second recorded; the amendment carried 22 yes, 0 no, 1 absent (vote announced as \"Motion to amend carries 22 with 1 absent\").
- Motion to give SB 2225 a do-pass recommendation as amended: moved by Representative Murphy; second by Representative Nathie; reported 22 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Representative Murphy was designated to carry the bill to the floor.

What the record does and does not show
The transcript records the dollar amounts requested, the $20,000,000 reduction, the change in maximum grant per community and the $2 local : $1 state match. The transcript does not specify the units for the per-community maximum (participants referred to the numeric reduction from 1.5 to 1 but did not specify millions in that phrase); the article reports the numeric change while noting units were not specified in the transcript. The transcript also does not include the final statutory text of scoring criteria, only committee discussion that Department of Commerce will design a competitive scoring process.

Next steps
Representative Murphy will carry SB 2225 to the floor with the committee's do-pass recommendation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations Wednesday, Apr 16, 2025 8:25 AM - 9:15 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Appropriations Committee on Wednesday amended Senate Bill 2225, cutting the Housing Opportunity Mobility Empowerment Grant Program's requested funding and adding new eligibility language for existing lots.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28310,"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},6272762,"Appropriations committee halves proposed milk-processing line of credit to $5 million, sets up program framework",406,2494000,2900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026141-767b7033b6aad5793878914b3db17d0b&start=2494&end=2900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026141-767b7033b6aad5793878914b3db17d0b/thumbnail_2494000.jpg","/articles/6272762/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-halves-proposed-milk-processing-line-of-credit-to-5-million-sets-up-program-framework","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272762-4ea1922252c70ec17dcd218bac9dd786/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010256&Signature=NQwzqvVy~6H~50JFDf4sDLwvwazXrJVrcAR4NiE-4EwgqLEzxTMEo90BRGBoofJcAH6xfuPXZ9i8~qc1nEjIPWF6fLCfiBBttn9U42DACHEDo36uRGocTyMwAwpAWqgrmRN1ws-6OGJP~P-ObM-vwyRNnP6wddZf1lGK1K1HdGn6Dlz9M0MxjrLXW2gaDRMHCsZb8CdCabdwalOwR~sQaaan8KRL3m0~byhWKLLrjctwq6Hu~g6zF5IW0Gf4~FwpKiac46tBvzMqhLviEWSvBDCSKWDqqrMMOG-LO1QLLfSpR6hZyhX98sE~KeShT4~6xjXB92fz1uAcp0A1ST3sHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee on Wednesday amended Senate Bill 2342 to reduce a proposed line of credit for milk-processing facility incentives from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000 and to establish a framework for a value-added milk-processing facility incentive program.

Committee members said the measure creates an incentive program intended to support infrastructure needed for dairy processing facilities, including roads, utilities, wastewater and stormwater conveyance, rail access and other site work. The legislation directs the agriculture diversification and development committee to create a competitive scoring process and award grants after a facility achieves full operational processing capacity.

Why it matters
Committee members emphasized that dairies typically must be in place before processing plants are viable, and that processing facilities entail substantial capital investment. The committee recorded that processing facilities can range widely in cost and that infrastructure access (for example wastewater capacity and reliable water supply) is a key factor in attracting processing investment.

Program design and eligibility
The bill language included a non-exhaustive list of qualified infrastructure: natural gas, electrical supply, roads, water lines, wastewater lines, stormwater conveyance and rail lines. The draft program ties grant distribution to completion milestones; the transcript records that grant awards are distributed after the project achieves 100% of processing capacity.

Formal actions
- Motion to amend SB 2342 to reduce the proposed line of credit from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000 and to set up a value-added milk-processing facility incentive program administered by an agriculture diversification and development committee: moved by Representative Brandenburg; second by Representative Munson; amendment adopted by roll call (vote announced as 22 yes, 0 no, 1 absent).
- Motion to give SB 2342 a do-pass recommendation as amended: seconded and adopted on a roll call reported as 22 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Representative Brandenburg was recorded as the member who will carry the bill.

What the record does and does not show
The transcript records that the line of credit was cut to $5,000,000 and that the committee expects the program to be in place for grants once dairies and processing demand materialize. The transcript includes an example cost range for processing plants described during discussion; it does not finalize grant award sizes or scoring criteria, which the newly tasked committee must develop. The bill includes a sunset date reflected on the record (June 30, 2027).

Next steps
The agriculture diversification and development committee is charged with developing the incentive program and scoring criteria; Representative Brandenburg will carry SB 2342 to the floor following the committee's approval.

","The Appropriations Committee amended Senate Bill 2342 to reduce a proposed $10 million line of credit for milk-processing incentives to $5 million and to direct a committee to develop a competitive grant program for value-added milk-processing facilities.",{"_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},6272767,"Committee restores $500,000 appropriation for 988 crisis hotline; declines per-line fee",293,2137000,2430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026141-767b7033b6aad5793878914b3db17d0b&start=2137&end=2430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026141-767b7033b6aad5793878914b3db17d0b/thumbnail_2137000.jpg","/articles/6272767/North-Dakota/Committee-restores-500000-appropriation-for-988-crisis-hotline-declines-per-line-fee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272767-5aeb3e84b15827815481aabf8a7c71f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771010256&Signature=inH8KtB0EGnBP2Ac~MJrl79MqiJXmI-un4X1zdNV3W5Mxwv9dOQh4or5yA9B-oO45at3bBaQi1H~t3jO~sGZdMKALNrsMQ~6YRRT0C~8nS8Nr3fIGdFiFfSKyUvshiUIJwm9UOnJTTYnsIi8YClqG8d~B8x7pF1gaKohzpB0SX89~xwrgjXhJ-TEVaE3NYvD75m3yGLRPy0H5vXKehhyE7SDgjdyX~mAkExo2CMtR-0Wv3R1Gxd5nBexLVgq4CNroxr9uVo2YitzzcQEsj-ucjTIdbyWKSB1KTPReNt0nM15nqFrVkaxvKvXQO4Refoz0wsLaeX5OfrxeuDXRFpc-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During a work session the Appropriations Committee amended the funding approach for the 988 crisis hotline program, moving away from a proposed per-line fee and instead allocating $500,000 from the community health care trust fund.

The committee's amendment returns a $500,000 appropriation to the 988 program; members said the change follows discussions and an ongoing Information Technology Department (ITD) study of appropriate funding mechanisms for 911 and 988 services. Committee members said texting and other non-voice contacts have increased workload for crisis-hotline staff, and the additional appropriation is intended to help the program cover higher staffing demands.

Context and administration
When the bill came from the Senate it included language to establish a funding mechanism tied to a 5-cent per-line charge. Committee discussion determined that, because ITD is conducting a broader funding study for 911 and 988, the committee would revert to a one-time appropriation. Committee members said the $500,000 is intended to supplement existing resources so the hotline can handle increased text and multi-channel demand until the study and a longer-term funding decision are completed.

During the discussion Representative O'Brien noted the appropriation is one-time funding and said the legislature will likely revisit the issue after the ITD study is available.

Formal actions
- Motion to amend (Senate Bill 2200) to appropriate $500,000 from the Community Health Care Trust Fund to the 988 crisis hotline program: moved by Representative Nelson; second by Representative Steeman; amendment adopted by roll call (vote announced as 22 yes, 0 no, 1 absent).
- Motion to re-engross Senate Bill 2200 and send it forward: moved and seconded; committee vote recorded as 22 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Representative Nelson was recorded as the member who will carry the bill to the floor.

What the record does and does not show
Committee discussion records that roughly $1,800,000 was being funded in the Department of Human Services budget for the hotline and that the $500,000 addition was intended to \"make them whole\" (as described on the record). The precise total DHS funding figure and longer-term funding decisions will be addressed through the ITD study mentioned in the transcript; the committee did not set a permanent per-line fee.

Next steps
Representative Nelson will carry the re-engrossed bill to the floor for further action.

","The Appropriations Committee amended the bill addressing funding for the 988 crisis hotline to provide a one-time $500,000 appropriation from the community health care trust fund rather than establishing a 5-cent per-line charge. The committee cited an ongoing ITD study of 911/988 funding and approved the amendment on a 22-0-1 vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations committee trims Housing Opportunity Mobility Empowerment grant, allows existing lots to qualify

Appropriations committee halves proposed milk-processing line of credit to $5 million, sets up program framework

Committee restores $500,000 appropriation for 988 crisis hotline; declines per-line fee