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Senate committee gives due‑pass to $3 million grant for Fargo National Cemetery facility, adoption passes unanimously
Summary
The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee gave a due‑pass recommendation to Senate Bill 22‑65, a $3,000,000 appropriation for a Veterans National Cemetery grant to support a gathering facility at Fargo National Cemetery; committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill unanimously on a roll call.
The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee voted unanimously to give a due‑pass recommendation to Senate Bill 22‑65, an appropriation that would provide $3,000,000 to support construction of a gathering and support facility at Fargo National Cemetery.
What passed: Committee members approved an amendment to SB 22‑65 and then voted to recommend a due pass on the bill as amended. The amendment was adopted by voice vote; the later roll call on the due‑pass recommendation showed all present senators voting in favor. A committee member stated, “Committee, it passes unanimously,” and the clerk recorded several ‘‘yes’’ and ‘‘aye’’ responses during the roll call.
Project description: Sponsor Senator Scott Meyer described the proposed facility as housing a gathering area for families before or after interments; a gallery to showcase veterans’ service; offices for VA staff; a break room for honor guard members; indoor restrooms; a garage sized to accommodate a hearse; and parking infrastructure. As Meyer said, the appropriation “will require VA approval prior to the funds being released.” He asked for a due‑pass recommendation.
Support and details from testimony: Testimony included local veterans and volunteer organizations. Jason Hicks, commander of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, described the group’s volunteer work and said the honor guard “is a strictly volunteer organization” that provides ceremonies for many burials in the region. Hicks and others described operational needs: lack of indoor space, limited parking on a 55‑mph county road adjacent to the cemetery, and instances where families could not leave their vehicles because of weather or mobility limitations. Marvin Nagly, sergeant of the honor guard, described volunteer coordination and the typical 20‑minute interment cadence used by the VA.
Funding and matching: Witnesses described roughly $1.4 million already raised by private donors and organizations and said the total project cost is estimated at $4–5 million. Senator Meyer confirmed the Legislature’s $3,000,000 would be contingent on VA plan approval and that the VA would assume ownership and ongoing operating costs after construction.
Vote and next steps: The committee adopted amendment 25,099,201 to SB 22‑65 by voice vote. Senator Meredahl (recorded as moving the amendment) and Senator Marsalais (recorded as second) were identified in the motion sequence; Senator Meredahl then moved the due‑pass recommendation and the committee carried the motion by roll call. The clerk recorded several names as voting yes, and the committee chair announced the motion carried unanimously. The committee indicated Senator Marsalais would carry the bill forward.
Ending: The committee closed the hearing on SB 22‑65 and recorded the due‑pass recommendation; the bill will be reoffered to the next committee indicated in the legislative process.
