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Lawmakers hear $24 million appropriation request to seed workforce education innovation fund
Summary
Representative Cynthia Schreiber Beck and the North Dakota University System told the House Education Committee that $24 million in seed money would help campuses stand up high‑cost training programs. NDUS said it could administer the fund without new staff.
Representative Cynthia Schreiber Beck introduced House Bill 1221 seeking a $24,000,000 appropriation to the workforce education innovation program established in N.D.C.C. 15‑10‑75, a funding stream the 2023 Legislature created but did not finance.
Schreiber Beck said the appropriation would give campuses seed money to develop programs that respond to employer needs — from curriculum and equipment to facility modifications and instructor training. "Without a source of funding, program development is difficult since the payback does not begin until students are enrolled," she told the committee.
Lisa Johnson, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the North Dakota University System, testified in strong support and described the appropriation as seed funding that would let NDUS distribute money for curriculum development, equipment, facilities, hiring, and program promotion. Johnson said NDUS could manage the program using existing staff and that new programs — especially those with specialized equipment — can require hundreds of thousands to more than $500,000 to launch before state formula funding arrives.
No opponents appeared in the hearing record. The committee did not take a vote during the session; testimony closed after NDUS signaled it would administer the program on behalf of the State Board of Higher Education.
Ending: The committee left the record open for any additional testimony but provided supporters an early opportunity to make the funding case for innovation dollars to address demand for specialized technical and health programs.
