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Senate passes parks and recreation budget with new naming/creation language; Peace Garden funding amendment fails
Summary
House Bill 10 19, the Parks and Recreation appropriation and policy package, passed the Senate after amendments that add a requirement that the Legislature approve creation or renaming of state parks; an amendment to remove a cactus conservatory appropriation to the International Peace Garden failed in a verification vote.
The North Dakota Senate passed Engrossed House Bill 10 19 on April 10, 2025, by a final tally of 39 ayes and 8 nays. The bill includes appropriations for deferred maintenance, park technology, infrastructure upgrades and language requiring legislative approval before a state agency may create a new state park or rename an existing one.
Senator Thomas, floor sponsor, described SIF appropriations that included $12,500,000 for deferred maintenance at state parks, $924,000 for comfort stations, $2,500,000 for park technology enhancements, $800,000 to upgrade sewer infrastructure at Lake Metigoshe State Park, and $1,250,000 for state park matching-grant funds. The bill also continued language authorizing a Bank of North Dakota line of credit previously approved to bridge construction costs for the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library project; the Senate added language restricting the bridge loan to construction costs for the library building and its fixtures, furnishings and exhibit structures.
A floor amendment offered by Senator Megram sought to remove a $317,000 appropriation for a cactus conservatory project at the International Peace Garden and argued the project did not justify the appropriation. Supporters of the amendment cited constituent objections; opponents noted the project had a long funding history and Canadian (Manitoba) matching commitments and urged rejection of the amendment. The chamber conducted a verification vote on the amendment; the verification tally was 20 ayes and 27 nays, and the amendment failed. The full bill then passed 39–8.
Senator Thomas said the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library line-of-credit authority was initially granted in a prior session to let construction contracts proceed in advance of final donations, and that as of the floor debate no funds had yet been drawn. He said the project might need to access a small draw by July 2026 if fundraising timing required it. The Senate also added a new statutory provision that a state agency or official may not create a new state park or rename an existing park without prior legislative approval.
With final passage, the bill’s appropriations and new naming/creation statutory language proceed to enrollment for the governor’s consideration.
