Appropriations panel reviews aeronautics budget, highlights $120 million for airport projects

The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division reviewed Senate Bill 2006, which includes policy and funding changes for the aeronautics budget and a one-time capital package for three large airport projects.

Senator Meyer summarized the aeronautics amendment package, pointing to a $120,000,000 one-time item intended for three capital projects: the Fargo terminal, a runway project in Grand Forks and a terminal project in Dickinson. He told the committee those projects included federal match funds.

Committee discussion covered a proposed ongoing increase and a base reduction that together were reported in committee documents as a net figure described in transcript as $3,000,007.75. A staff member told the committee the figure represented two items combined: a $5,000,000 ongoing addition to the airport infrastructure fund and a $1,225,000 base reduction from the Aeronautics Commission Fund (a separate special fund). The committee sought clarification on those fund sources and asked staff to supply exact fund-line references in forthcoming amendment language.

Senator Thomas and other members asked procedural questions and expressed the committee would take up formal amendment language when it is drafted; the chair asked staff (Grant) to draft the amendments so the committee could consider them in its next meeting. No roll-call vote on the aeronautics package was taken in this meeting.

Committee members noted the proposal’s use of federal matches and the distinction between the airport infrastructure fund and the Aeronautics Commission Fund; the committee asked for clearer documentation of fund reductions and the ongoing/one-time designations before any final motion.

The committee scheduled amendment-drafting and indicated it would consider the aeronautics amendments at a later committee meeting once the drafter provides the statement of purpose and line-item detail.