North Dakota committee discusses $95M airport funding amid budget deliberations

The House Appropriations - Government Operations Division convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss various budgetary matters, including the housing authority, the Industrial Commission, and airport funding. The meeting, which lasted from 3:26 PM to 4:44 PM, was marked by a series of motions and discussions aimed at addressing the allocation of funds and operational needs.

The session began with a motion to exempt the mill and elevator from certain budget constraints, which was met with opposition and ultimately failed to pass. Representative Bosch expressed optimism about the new rules regarding the vacant Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) pool, suggesting that they might facilitate smoother operations in the future.

Discussion then shifted to the housing authority, where a budget of $13.5 million was highlighted. This amount was transferred from human services, with provisions allowing for flexibility in its use. The committee confirmed that the housing authority's operational needs were adequately addressed within this budget.

The Industrial Commission was next on the agenda, with members discussing the need for a $370 million allocation to fill the Strategic Infrastructure Fund (SIF) bucket. The committee acknowledged that leadership would need to finalize this allocation, but the discussion indicated a consensus on the necessity of these funds.

Speaker Weiss joined the meeting to discuss amendments related to the Bank of North Dakota, including the transfer of the rail fund from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to the bank. The committee appeared supportive of these changes, which also included adjustments to the rebuilders loan program to expand its criteria as determined by the governor.

The meeting also touched on litigation budgets, with a total of approximately $14.5 million allocated for various mitigation efforts. The committee decided against adding more funds to this pool, indicating that any future needs would be addressed through the emergency commission.

As the meeting progressed, the topic of airport funding emerged. The committee discussed a proposal to allocate $95 million for airports, with specific amounts designated for Fargo, Dickinson, and Grand Forks, contingent upon securing federal grants. This proposal aims to ensure ongoing discussions about airport funding continue, as previous budget discussions had stripped funding from the aeronautics budget.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's efforts to navigate complex budgetary issues while ensuring that essential services and infrastructure projects receive necessary funding. The next meeting is scheduled for the following morning, where further discussions on the DOT and other budgetary matters are expected to take place.