North Dakota Senate approves transportation and industrial budgets, passes insulin cap and wastewater bill; several measures fail

The North Dakota Senate took up a wide slate of budget and policy measures during its floor session, approving major appropriations for the Department of Transportation and the Industrial Commission, establishing a statewide on‑site wastewater statute, continuing a $25 monthly insulin cap for state health plan enrollees and passing several other bills while rejecting multiple proposals ranging from election‑process changes to an intelligent‑design education standard.

The chamber passed the DOT budget (Senate Bill 20‑12) and a package of related transportation provisions, including transfers into a flexible transportation fund and one‑time Strategic Investment Fund support for projects such as a six‑mile stretch of U.S. Highway 85. The Senate also approved the Industrial Commission budget (Senate Bill 20‑14), which combines appropriations and policy changes for agencies that oversee the Bank of North Dakota, the Mill and Elevator, mineral resources and housing finance programs.

Why this matters: The DOT and Industrial Commission appropriations direct large sums for highways, bridge and local match authority, and programs that shape infrastructure and economic development across the state. The insulin cap affects affordability for state employees enrolled in the NDPERS plan; the wastewater bill alters oversight and permitting for on‑site systems that primarily affect rural property owners.

Most important actions and highlights

- DOT budget (Senate Bill 20‑12): The bill passed on final passage with a 47‑0 roll call. Sponsors and committee leaders described additions including a carryover authority for multi‑year projects, an increase to deposits into the flexible transportation fund (including placing the remaining half of motor‑vehicle excise tax…