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City staff summarizes state bills affecting Grand Forks ahead of Grand Forks Day at the Legislature
Summary
City legislative staff reviewed bills on transportation, water, property-tax reform, and grants — and previewed the city’s Grand Forks Day delegation to Bismarck later this week.
City legislative staff provided a high-level update on state legislation of interest to Grand Forks and previewed a series of meetings scheduled in Bismarck for Grand Forks Day later this week.
Mr. Burnstrom, identified in the meeting as city legislative staff, told the council the omnibus budget bill (House Bill 1015) carries the Office of Management and Budget budget and contains a funding increase for the Prairie Dog program that would affect city and county shares if enacted. He also summarized transportation-related bills including Senate Bill 2012 (ND DOT budget) and a fixed-route transportation bill (bill cited as 2254) that would include a $2,000,000 grant and a study of state funding for public transit.
On water and natural-resources matters, Burnstrom described House Bill 1020 (water-resources budget) as including support for the Red River Valley water supply, municipal water grants and the Water Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund, plus a study on governance for regional water projects. He noted House Bill 1537 (water agreements) remains active in the Senate but has been heavily amended. He also outlined wastewater infrastructure legislation (House Bill 1577) that creates a wastewater-infrastructure program though it contains limited funding initially.
On community and economic development, Burnstrom said House Bill 1332 would create a $30,000,000 forgivable line of credit for agricultural facilities and that the governor’s property-tax reform package is moving as House Bill 1176 with related measures under consideration. He also noted the Department of Public Instruction budget includes a $5,000,000 item for the Grand Forks Children’s Museum and that Senate Bill 2225 could help offset local infrastructure costs for housing projects. Burnstrom said Senate Bill 2398 was amended to remove land-use regulation language and has a committee hearing scheduled this week.
Burnstrom closed by reminding the council that a large delegation will travel to Bismarck for Grand Forks Day and that staff will distribute a handout of departmental priorities and meeting schedules for legislators.
The update was informational; no council action was requested at the meeting.
