Counties press committee for state grants and low-interest loans to address aging, overcrowded jails

Lawmakers heard extensive testimony about aging, overcrowded county jails and two bills intended to provide state financing: House Bill 1197 would create a jail improvement grant program with a $50 million appropriation from the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund (SIF); House Bill 1213 would create a low-interest loan program through the Bank of North Dakota with a proposed $200 million appropriation to finance jail improvements and expansions.

Sponsor overview and program design Representative Kathy Fralick introduced HB1197 as a competitive grant program administered by a multi-stakeholder committee that would include House and Senate members, the Association of Counties, the Sheriffs Association, the Chiefs of Police Association, and one Department of Corrections representative. The bill would direct a continuing appropriation into a jail improvement fund, require at least a 25% local match for awarded projects, and reserve at least 25% of funds for counties with populations under 15,000. The bill’s stated appropriation was $50,000,000 from SIF.

Representative Fralick presented HB1213 as a companion loan vehicle. The loan bill would allow loan awards up to $40,000,000 per approved recipient, with repayment terms up to 30 years at interest…