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Committee hears testimony supporting $500,000 tribal tourism grants
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Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony in favor of House Bill 1581, which would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Commerce for tribal tourism grants (up to $100,000 per tribal government); the committee closed the hearing after extensive tribal testimony but took no vote at the session’s close.
The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee heard extensive testimony Feb. 13 on House Bill 1581, which would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Commerce to fund tribal tourism grants in North Dakota.
Sponsor Representative Lisa Finley Deville of District 4A opened the hearing, saying the grants would support job creation, cultural preservation and economic development on tribal lands. “This bill will provide $500,000 in grants for tribal governments in North Dakota to enhance and promote tourism opportunities,” she said, describing grant awards of up to $100,000 for projects such as cultural heritage centers, interpretive trails, community events and marketing campaigns.
Representatives of tribal nations and tribal tourism organizations told the committee the funding would help build visitor infrastructure, marketing and training. Kiara Fox, acting director of the MHA Nation Tourism Department, said the appropriation would provide $100,000 for each of the five tribal nations in North Dakota and allow tribes to develop visitor centers, signage and programming. “The MHA Nation Tourism Department wholeheartedly supports House Bill 15 81, which appropriates 500,000,” Fox said.
Other witnesses included Danielle Wilkie, director of Turtle Mountain Chippewa Heritage Center, who described visitor interest and proposed projects such as language flashcards, virtual classes and regalia workshops. Les Thomas, president of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, described regional touring relationships and international interest in Indigenous tourism; Stacy Lacombe, executive director of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance, urged passage and said tribal nations lack the infrastructure and seed funding to meet current tourism demand.
Committee members asked about matching requirements, coordination between tribes and the state tourism office, and whether the grant would fund infrastructure or marketing. Testimony indicated tribes are already doing marketing and some infrastructure work and that the grants would be additional support; some witnesses said matching funds could be possible but budget specifics varied by nation.
There was no committee vote in the transcript; the committee closed the hearing after receiving testimony and said it would take further action in a later session. The record shows broad support from MHA Nation and other tribal representatives, and staff indicated questions remain about grant administration and program details within Commerce.
