Senate committee hears proposal to use Energy Impact Fund for hub‑city oil‑boom debt; no action taken

The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 2323, which would direct an annual appropriation to the Energy Impact Grant Fund to help hub cities — Williston, Dickinson and Minot — reduce debt tied to infrastructure built to serve oil‑industry growth. Sen. Brad Beckadahl introduced the bill and asked the committee for a do‑pass recommendation, but the committee did not take action at the hearing and closed the record.

Sen. Brad Beckadahl, a District 1 senator who also serves as Williston’s finance commissioner, told the panel the bill would provide a $20,000,000 annual appropriation to the Energy Impact Grant Fund for distribution to the three hub cities to “reduce the debt burdens that remain from infrastructure improvements necessary to accommodate the industry.” He said the proposal targets only debt that would not have occurred without the oil boom and that he will offer an amendment to limit state payments to roughly 58.5% of eligible debt, leaving…