Appropriations division advances three bills, rejects two; $12 million boost proposed for needs-based scholarships

At a meeting of the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, senators took final committee action on five bills, advancing three measures to the next stage and issuing do‑not‑pass recommendations on two others.

The committee moved forward a bill to extend an existing education-related program and a bill that revises gross production tax distributions for oil-affected hub cities. It voted to reject legislation that would have sharply increased a tiered maintenance fund for higher education and to reject a separate standalone appropriation for sewer work serving Lake Minagotchi State Park. The panel approved a needs-based scholarship bill that includes an additional $12 million for supplemental awards.

Why it matters: committee votes shape which proposals reach the full legislature, and the measures acted on here involve state revenue distribution, capital funding priorities for higher education, and direct student aid—each with budgetary implications for the coming biennium.

What the committee did

Senate Bill 2212 — higher-education tier funding (Do Not Pass) Senate Bill 2212, sponsored by Senator Sickler, would have increased the tiered higher-education maintenance funding from its current level (discussed in the meeting as roughly $20 million) toward $65 million initially and $80 million beginning the next biennium. Committee discussion focused on the scale of needs, the lengthy time horizon required for institutions to save for major capital projects, and matching ratios used for smaller projects. The committee adopted a Do Not Pass recommendation; Senator Thomas formally moved the do‑not‑pass motion.

Senate Bill 2143 — extension of an expiring program (Due Pass) Senator Patton’s bill would extend an expiring program (the bill text described extending the current expiration out to 2033) and make related technical changes so the program continues without annual reauthorization. After discussion the committee voted to give the measure a due‑pass recommendation and forward it to the policy carrier.

Senate Bill 2023 — gross production tax distribution changes (Due Pass) Senate Bill 2023 would reallocate portions of the state’s gross production and extraction tax distributions to provide targeted assistance to oil‑affected hub cities (identified in committee as Dickinson, Minot and Williston). The bill moves roughly $40 million to those cities and lowers a secondary SIF bucket by $80 million, changes that the sponsor said would increase the General Fund distributions by about $20 million in each distribution line. Committee members voiced concern about reducing long‑standing SIF balances that backstop other programs, but the committee adopted a due‑pass recommendation.

Senate Bill 1985 — Lake Minagotchi sewer appropriation (Do Not Pass) Senate Bill 1985 would have provided a one‑time appropriation to Lake Minagotchi State Park to pay that park’s share of a roughly $4 million sewer upgrade project; the park’s system use was estimated in committee at about 18–22 percent, and testimony described the park currently paying roughly 3 percent of annual operation and maintenance costs. Some members said the project and the park’s share may be more appropriately considered in the parks budget; the committee voted Do Not Pass on the standalone bill.

Senate Bill 2147 — needs‑based scholarship changes and $12 million supplemental (Passed) Senate Bill 2147, a package arising from the interim higher education committee, includes policy changes to the Career Builder scholarship program (including provisions on industry matching and allowing more flexibility when students change programs) and expands the state’s needs‑based scholarship funding. The committee approved an additional $12 million to cover supplemental awards for students (the supplement targets students whose total expected aid still leaves a gap between their federal Pell and state grant awards and the institutional cost of attendance). Brenda Zastrow of the North Dakota University System told the committee the added funds are specifically “to cover the additional supplemental award” and explained the program’s cost‑of‑attendance components include “tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, food, transportation, daycare.” The motion to pass SB 2147 carried.

Votes at a glance (committee roll calls presented in the meeting record) - SB 2212 (higher‑ed tier funding): Do Not Pass (ayes recorded: Chairman Thorbach; Senator Thomas; Senator Connolly; Senator Shibley; Senator Meyer) — outcome: do not pass. - SB 2143 (extension/technical changes): Due Pass (ayes recorded: Chairman Zorba; Senator Connolly; Senator Thomas; Senator Shively; Senator Meyer) — outcome: due pass to policy carrier. - SB 2023 (gross production tax distribution changes): Due Pass (ayes recorded: Chairman Zorbag; Senator Connelly; Senator Meyer; Senator Shibley; Senator Thomas) — outcome: due pass. - SB 1985 (Lake Minagotchi sewer appropriation): Do Not Pass (ayes recorded: Chairman Sworbag; Senator Gottlieb; Senator Meyer; Senator Shibley; no: Senator Thomas) — outcome: do not pass. - SB 2147 (needs‑based scholarships, $12M supplemental): Passed (ayes recorded: Chairman Sworbag; Senator Connolly; Senator Thomas; Senator Shibley; Senator Meyer) — outcome: pass; carrier to present to full committee.

What’s next Committee members said several large items remain under the division’s jurisdiction and will be scheduled later, including formula adjustments for Dickinson State, homelessness/HIP funding tied to the Industrial Commission review, scholarship budget details, and a pending $130 million clean‑sustainable energy request. The chair indicated the panel will reconvene after floor session to continue work.

Ending The panel completed committee action on five bills in a single session and deferred several high‑dollar items for further review with the Industrial Commission and the remainder of the budget process.