Committee removes construction authorization from UND medical-school bill, keeps study

The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division voted to remove the construction authorization from bill 2286 and to keep a legislative management study of the University of North Dakota medical-school facility.

Committee members described two parts to the bill: a legislative management study and an authorization to build a new medical-school facility. During debate several members said the proposal lacked a long-term capital plan and raised concerns about cost and timing; others said the campus seeks a collaborative facility to co-locate nursing and allied-health programs.

Senator Steven Scheidler opposed the bill as presented, citing cost and a lack of a long-term facility-replacement plan: “I guess I would oppose this bill. 2 reasons, I guess, the cost and just coming as it is. Usually, we have a procedure that we bring with capital projects,” he told the committee. He recommended more planning before authorizing construction.

In response, the chair offered an amendment to remove Section 2 (the construction authorization) while keeping Section 1 (the legislative management study) so the committee would retain authority to review findings before any building authorization. The motion to delete Section 2 was moved and seconded and carried on a 3–2 vote. The committee then voted to recommend the bill as amended; the recommending vote carried 3–2.

The committee record shows divided support: the amendment to keep only the study passed on a 3–2 recorded vote, and the recommending action on the bill as amended also passed 3–2. A committee member asked about adding intent language to clarify next steps; supporters of the study noted the Medical School Advisory Committee had itself requested a study, which the committee viewed as a reason to retain the study rather than immediately authorize construction.

What happens next: bill 2286 will move forward as a recommending committee report with Section 1 (the legislative management study) intact; the construction authorization contained in Section 2 was removed for further consideration.