Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legal Immigration Office topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee questions Office of Legal Immigration funding, continuing grant and ongoing operating request
Summary
Members reviewed the Office of Legal Immigration budget, including base salaries, a proposed $250,000 ongoing operating request and a $1.75 million continuation grant; staff described the office's employer-facing functions and training/contracts to maintain international recruitment networks.
The committee examined the Office of Legal Immigration's request and recent activity. Staff said the office technically took effect in 2023 and that the initial study funded in Senate Bill 2142 (about $2,000,000 for a study recorded in the hearing) is complete. Levi and Commerce staff reported the office currently has two FTEs and $485,000 in ongoing salary authority in base budget (from SB2142). The Armstrong recommendation reduces some prior one-time study funding and proposes $250,000 in ongoing operating funds to sustain contracts, national relationships and employer-facing training and integration supports.
Katie Ralston Howe, Commerce workforce director, explained that the office has used contracted study partners to establish connections and subject-matter expertise on visa pathways and international recruitment. She said the office now offers educational resources for employers (H-2A/H-2B and other pathways), and is beginning a small grant program to help employers and nonprofit partners with recruitment and integration costs.
Staff described a one-time continuation grant request of $1,750,000 in Armstrong's recommendation that would continue a grant started this biennium; Levi said Burgum had proposed $3,000,000 one-time for the office and Armstrong reduced that figure to $1,750,000.
Committee members asked practical questions: whether the office can assist an employer seeking H-2A workers and how grants have been used. Staff clarified the office provides educational resources, referrals and contract-supported assistance; the office does not provide legal advice but can point employers to resources, and the grants have been used to support employer recruitment, training and nonprofit integration work.
Ending: Staff said the office's ongoing operating request ($250,000) would maintain contracts and networks that the office established during its initial study period; the committee did not act on the item and may seek more detail on outcomes and grant recipients.
