Appropriations hearing spotlights new $50 million housing line; lawmakers flag possible duplication with bills

During the Commerce budget review staff explained a major change to housing-related requests between governors. Governor Burgum's submission included roughly $31,150,000 of several targeted housing programs. Governor Armstrong eliminated those multiple small programs and proposed a single one-line $50,000,000 appropriation from the Special Infrastructure Fund (SIF) for a program described in the hearing as the "Housing for Opportunity, Mobility and Empowerment Program." Levi told the committee that Senator Beckettall had introduced implementing legislation and that Senate Bill 2018 was pending; committee members also discussed Senate Bill 2225 and Senate Bill 2097 as related measures in play.

Senator Eberle asked whether Armstrong's $50 million would function as a broad pooled fund replacing Burgum's targeted line items; staff responded that Armstrong's proposal was intended as a broad program rather than a set of individually targeted grants. Members noted that if a separate bill (for example, SB 2018 or SB 2225) passes to create the program, the budget should not duplicate the financing.

Levi and other staff said Burgum's detailed housing package was removed from the purple sheet because Armstrong did not include it; committee members discussed hearings scheduled on the related bills and the potential for duplication if transfers or authorizations were included in both statutory and budgetary vehicles.

Ending: The committee flagged the housing program for closer review and cross-reference against pending legislation before deciding whether to add a corresponding appropriation in the Commerce budget.