Appropriations committee recommends 'do not pass' on bill to fund two BCI cybercrime agents for Grand Forks region

The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division voted to recommend “do not pass” on House Bill 1102, an appropriation to the attorney general for two Bureau of Criminal Investigation cybercrime agents to be embedded in the Grand Forks Police Department. Representative Martinson made the motion and Vice Chair Representative Swiatek seconded it; the committee chair said the motion passed and would be carried to the floor.

The bill would have provided an appropriation to place two full-time BCI agents in Grand Forks and funding to support equipment, training and recurring costs. Todd Field, city administrator for the City of Grand Forks, told the committee the city and the region support embedding the agents and that Grand Forks would provide office space and “about $200,000 annually” in local support for the two agents’ office, equipment and training.

Committee members pressed why the positions were not…