Committee hears fast‑track plan to replace Chinese‑made state drones and expand VANTAS radar access; asks for detailed cost breakdown

The Appropriations Committee heard extended testimony on House Bill 1038, a two‑part proposal to replace certain state‑owned drones and to expand the VANTAS drone‑surveillance network’s access to federal radar data. Lawmakers did not vote on the bill; the committee asked the sponsor and the VANTAS partners to provide a detailed cost breakdown and to return with that material after floor session.

Representative Mike Nathie (District 30, Bismarck), sponsor of House Bill 1038, told the committee the bill responds to federal security guidance and to concerns about Chinese‑manufactured platforms. "The state owns 353 drones. Of those drones, 307 are manufactured by this Chinese manufacturer, DJI," Nathie said. He described a $15 million state‑funded replacement, training and disposal program, to be administered by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, that would replace non‑NDAA‑compliant drones in state inventory with U.S.‑made or allied‑made platforms, fund training, catalog devices, and…