All Roll Calls
Yes: 136 • No: 1
North DakotaHB 12332025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 15-10-12.1, 48-01.2-25, 54-16-03, 54-16-04, 54-16-04.1, 54-16-09, and 54-16-13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the emergency commission and budget section; to repeal sections 54-16-04.2, 54-16-08, and 54-16-11.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the emergency commission; and to provide an appropriation.
Sponsored By: Mike Lefor (Republican)
Became Law
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Contingency funds for 2025-27 emergencies
The state sets aside $70.75 million for emergencies from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. This includes $750,000 from the general fund, $20 million in special funds, and $50 million in federal funds. The Office of Management and Budget holds these funds for Emergency Commission use.
Faster emergency funding with $50M cap
In an emergency, state officers can petition the Emergency Commission to move money or accept federal or special funds. Transfers over $50,000 or that would end a program need Budget Section approval, unless needed to follow a court order or avoid an imminent safety threat or big financial loss. The Commission can let agencies take and spend unappropriated federal funds; any amount over $50,000—up to $3,000,000 or above $3,000,000—needs Budget Section approval. Federal money passed from one state agency to another must use this process. The Commission cannot approve more than $50 million in federal fund spending in a biennium; requests that push past that total, or any single federal act over $50 million, need full Legislative Assembly approval. Some highway and disaster funds are excepted. In urgent threats, agencies may accept funds right away, but spending still needs Budget Section approval. Funds not needed before the next regular session are held in a separate account. The law also repeals older sections to align these rules.
Short-term state loans for disasters
After the Governor declares a disaster, a state agency can borrow from the Bank of North Dakota with Emergency Commission and Budget Section approval. Loans are limited to expected federal reimbursement, unless contingency funds are too small; then loans may cover up to 100% of costs. Interest is paid from available funds or transfers. The borrowed money is appropriated for repairs and response. If funds are short at the end of the biennium, the agency must request a deficit appropriation.
Rules for gift-funded campus projects
The State Board of Higher Education can approve gift-funded campus work that costs $700,000 or less. Projects over $700,000 or any new building need Legislative Assembly consent; when not in session, the Budget Section may approve them. Any donated-funded new building request must remove existing space of equal or greater size. The Budget Section must set a dollar limit per project and let any lawmaker testify, and Legislative Council must notify all lawmakers of the meeting and agenda. The Board may sell gifted property with an appraisal and a public sale or bids, unless the gift’s terms say otherwise.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Lefor
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Don Vigesaa
Republican • House
Brad Bekkedahl
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 1
Yes: 45 • No: 1
House vote • 2/4/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0
Yes: 91 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/11
4/14/2025HouseSigned by Governor 04/10
4/11/2025HouseSent to Governor
4/8/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
4/8/2025HouseSigned by President
4/3/2025SenateReturned to House
4/2/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 1
4/1/2025SenateReported back, do pass, place on calendar 6 0 0
3/28/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 02:30
3/27/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred State and Local Government Committee
2/13/2025SenateReceived from House
2/5/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0
2/4/2025HouseReported back, do pass, place on calendar 22 0 1
2/3/2025HouseRereferred to Appropriations
1/30/2025HouseReported back, do pass, place on calendar 13 0 1
1/28/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 10:00
1/24/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Government and Veterans Affairs Committee
1/13/2025House
Bill Text
Enrollment
INTRODUCED
Related Bills
HB 1022 — AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the retirement and investment office.
SB 2018 — AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of commerce; to provide an appropriation to the attorney general; to provide an appropriation to the department of career and technical education; to provide an appropriation to the state fair association; to provide a contingent appropriation; to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to department of commerce grant reporting requirements; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 10-30.5-02, sections 54-60-09, 54-60-19, 54-60-28, 54-60-29, 54-60-29.1, and 54-60-31 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the purpose of the North Dakota development fund, duties and talent strategy of the division of workforce development, the uncrewed aircraft systems program, the uncrewed aircraft systems program fund, the beyond visual line of sight uncrewed aircraft system program, and changing the name of the office of legal immigration to the global talent office; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; to provide for a transfer; to provide an application; to provide an exemption; and to provide for a legislative management report.
SB 2323 — AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 57-51-15 and 57-51.1-07.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to oil and gas gross production tax allocations and the state share of oil and gas tax allocations; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an exemption; and to provide an effective date.
SB 2390 — AN ACT to create and enact three new sections to chapter 54-40.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a rural catalyst committee, grant program, and fund; to amend and reenact section 54-40.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to definitions for regional planning councils; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for a transfer.
SB 2397 — AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 57-51.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a limited exemption for development incentive wells; to amend and reenact sections 57-51-02.6, 57-51-05, and 57-51.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the temporary exemption for oil and gas wells employing a system to avoid flaring, an exemption from gross production tax for gas produced from certain enhanced oil recovery projects, and the definition of development incentive well; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.
SB 2370 — AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study regarding prescription drug transparency reporting under the federal drug discount program.