Relating to a rail revolving loan fund and uses of the abandoned oil and gas well plugging and site reclamation fund; to amend and reenact subsection 7 of section 6‑08.1‑02 and sections 6‑09‑35, 6‑09‑46.2, 6‑09.7‑05, 6‑09.14‑04, and 49‑17.1‑02.1, subsection 1 of section 54‑17‑40, and subdivision a of subsection 4 of section 54‑17.7‑04 of the North Dakota Century Code, and section 15 of chapter 14 of the 2023 Session Laws, relating to confidential and exempt records of the Bank of North Dakota, the rebuilders loan program, loan guarantees through the strategic investment and improvements fund, interest rate buydown limits for the partnership in assisting community expansion fund, department of transportation review and approval of rail projects, uses of the housing incentive fund, North Dakota pipeline borrowing authority, and a salt cavern underground energy storage research project; to repeal section 3 of Senate Bill No. 2188, as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, relating to a transfer from the strategic investment and improvements fund to the clean sustainable energy fund; to provide a deficiency appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for a report; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
Relating to rail passenger authority agreements and a legacy earnings fund; to amend and reenact section 6‑09.4‑10.1, subsection 1 of section 21‑10‑06, and sections 24‑02‑37.3, 54‑27‑19, and 57‑40.3‑10, section 57‑51.1‑07.5 as amended by Senate Bill No. 2323 as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, and sections 57‑51.1‑07.7 and 57‑51.1‑07.8 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to funds invested by the state investment board, the flexible transportation fund, the highway tax distribution fund, motor vehicle excise tax collections, the state share of oil and gas taxes, the municipal infrastructure fund, and the county and township infrastructure fund; to repeal sections 21‑10‑12, 21‑10‑13, 54‑27‑19.3, and 54‑27‑19.4 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to legacy fund definitions, a legacy earnings fund, the legacy earnings highway distribution fund, and legacy earnings township highway aid fund; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for application; to provide an effective date; and to provide an exemption.
SB 2006 provides $32.17 million in funding for the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission for fiscal years 2025-2027, primarily to support airport infrastructure grants. The bill allocates $20 million from the airport infrastructure fund to provide grants to airports during this period, with the remaining funds covering the commission's salaries, operating expenses, and other costs. The $475,000 from the general fund specifically supports the commission's operations, including 7 full-time positions. This bill directly affects the Aeronautics Commission (which administers the funds) and airports receiving the grant funding.
SB 2011 appropriates $68 million (including $47.6 million from the general fund) to cover North Dakota Highway Patrol operating costs for the 2025-2027 biennium. It specifies funding sources, including $10.9 million transferred from the state highway tax fund and $1.4 million from motor carrier permit fees. The bill also authorizes $200 monthly payments to Highway Patrol officers for travel-related expenses (meals and non-lodging costs) during the same period. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting the Highway Patrol's budget and officers' travel allowances.
HB 1106 allocates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund to the Department of Transportation for grants supporting nonfixed route public transit services. These grants directly assist public transportation providers (such as rural or on-demand transit systems) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill creates a dedicated funding stream for nonfixed route transit programs without altering existing service requirements or eligibility rules.
HB 1614 would have required North Dakota's Department of Transportation to study autonomous and semiautonomous vehicle technologies, particularly focusing on automated truck tractors, and submit a legislative report on findings. The bill also amended state law to define "automated truck tractor" as a vehicle with safety-critical functions operating without direct human input. This study was intended to assess how such technologies might impact transportation infrastructure and safety regulations. The bill was introduced in March 2025 but failed to pass, receiving only two votes in favor during its House vote.
Relating to designating the bridge on state highway 6 as the CPL Raymond Porter Korea bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.
HB 1235 amends North Dakota's agriculture infrastructure grant program to specifically fund road and bridge improvements needed for value-added agriculture businesses. It directs the agriculture commissioner (with transportation department input) to award grants to counties, cities, and townships for projects like corridor upgrades on local roads or access road/bridge repairs serving these businesses. The bill directly affects local governments managing infrastructure and businesses processing agricultural products (like food manufacturing or packaging). Key provisions require grants to target infrastructure directly supporting value-added agriculture operations, not general road maintenance. This law, signed by the governor on March 24, 2025, clarifies and expands the program's focus.
HB 1340 amends North Dakota's vehicle tint law to clarify light transmittance requirements for window tinting. It requires that front windshields and front windows allow at least 70% light transmittance (meaning the tint can't be too dark), while other windows must allow at least 35% transmittance. The law does not apply to rear windows if a vehicle has outside mirrors meeting standard requirements. This directly affects drivers who install window tint, ensuring visibility for safety while maintaining existing exceptions for rear windows with proper mirrors.
SB 2277 designates North Dakota State Highway 200 (from the Minnesota to Montana borders) as the "North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway," requiring the state transportation department to install signs along the route. It allows families and associates of officers killed in the line of duty to request individual memorial markers on up to one mile of the highway. The bill also establishes a continuing appropriation to accept and use donated funds for sign placement, ensuring ongoing maintenance of the memorial. This affects the public by creating a permanent memorial site and directly involves families of fallen peace officers, law enforcement officers, and canine officers.