HB 1524 — Relating to regional planning council grants from the department of commerce.

25.1007.03000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota SECONDIn ENGROSSMENTRegular REENGROSSEDSession Commencing Tuesday, January 7, 2025 HOUSE BILL NO.

1524 Introduced(Representatives by Representatives Monson, Brandenburg, Kempenich, O'Brien, Ostlie, PylePyle) Senators(Senators Kessel, Meyer, Myrdal, Barta, LemmLemm) AAN BILLACT for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-40.154-60 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to theregional fundingplanning ofcouncil regionalgrants planningfrom councils;the department of commerce.

and to provide an appropriation.

A new section to chapter 54-40.154-60 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows:

BiennialRegional workplanning plancouncil grants - Funding.Purpose.

1.The department may award grants to regional planning councils under chapter 54-40.1 to support local and regional implementation of state-authorized programs and initiatives, including housing, regional workforce, rural catalyst, local food and grocery, and other state-authorized programs, subject to legislative appropriations.

AThe regionaldepartment councilmay shallapprove preparegrants ato biennialsupport workprogram plan.implementation, resource development, and efforts to attract and leverage public or private investment in local and regional areas of the state.

TheH. work plan must:

a.B.

IncludeNO. proposed actions, targeted outcomes, and an itemized budget.

b.1524 - PAGE 2 ____________________________ ____________________________ Speaker of the House President of the Senate ____________________________ ____________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Secretary of the Senate This certifies that the within bill originated in the House of Representatives of the Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota and is known on the records of that body as House Bill No.

Align1524. with the comprehensive economic development strategy for the region developed with input from regional stakeholders, including members of the legislative assembly.

c.House Vote:

BeYeas approved70 byNays the20 regionalAbsent council's4 executiveSenate boardVote: before submission.

d.Yeas 36 Nays 10 Absent 1 ____________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Received by the Governor at ________M.

Addresson issues_____________________________________, of2025. rural capacity, including business development, zoning and land use planning, grant writing and technical assistance, housing development, child care support, workforce development, infrastructure planning, tourism and placemaking initiatives, disaster recovery planning, and community leadership development.

2.Approved at ________M.

Aon regional__________________________________________________, council2025. shall submit:

a.____________________________ Governor Filed in this office this ___________day of _______________________________________, 2025, at ________ o’clock ________M.

Copies____________________________ ofSecretary the biennial work plan no later than twelve months before the beginning of eachState biennium to the commissioner of the department of commerce, the governor, and members of the legislative assembly representing the region.

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1 25.1007.03000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly county providing financial support to regional councils shall maintain or exceed the funding to ensure the continuation of regional development efforts.

b.

Reporting metrics detailing program outcomes, expenditures, and other relevant performance measures no later than forty-five days before the end of the biennium to the commissioner of the department of commerce, the governor, and members of the legislative assembly representing the region.

3.

Subject to legislative appropriations, the department of commerce shall provide funding to regional councils to implement the biennial work plan.

4.

Funds may:

a.

Be used to employ individuals or for contractual services to implement the biennial work plan under this section.

b.

Not be used for debt repayment, loans, grants, lobbying, political activities, or unrelated or nonessential expenses, including entertainment, luxury purchases, or projects that do not demonstrate a regional benefit.

5.

Fifty percent of appropriated funding must be allocated equally among the eight regions and fifty percent must be awarded based on a funding formula established jointly by the department of commerce and the association of regional councils.

6.

The funding formula under subsection 5 must be reviewed and amended as necessary every four years and provide equitable allocation of funding for a regional council providing services for multiple service areas or counties.

SECTION 2.

APPROPRIATION - DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - REGIONAL COUNCILS.

There is appropriated out of any moneys in the general fund in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $2,400,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the department of commerce for the purpose of funding regional planning councils, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.

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