23.0510.03000
Sixty-eighth
Legislative Assembly HOUSE BILL NO. 1148
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representatives Thomas, Beltz, Brandenburg, Hagert, Headland, D. Johnson, Monson,
Weisz
Senators Lemm, Luick, Wanzek
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to an agriculture infrastructure fund; to provide an appropriation; and to
3 provide for a transfer.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
5 SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
6 and enacted as follows:
7 Agriculture infrastructure fund.
8 1. There is created in the state treasury the agriculture infrastructure fund. Pursuant to
9 legislative appropriations, moneys in the fund are available to the commissioner for
10 grants to political subdivisions for infrastructure improvements necessary for the
11 development or enhancement of new or existing value-added agriculture businesses
12 or for grants to an individual or organization for capital improvements to develop or
13 enhance new or existing value-added agriculture businesses.
14 2. The commissioner shall develop policies to administer the grants, including a grant
15 application process and eligibility criteria. Grants to political subdivisions are limited to
16 two million five hundred thousand dollars per project and may not exceed eighty
17 percent of the infrastructure project cost. Grants to individuals or organizations are
18 limited to five hundred thousand dollars per project and may not exceed eighty percent
19 of the capital improvement project costs. Eligible uses of grant funding include road
20 and bridge improvements, water and sewer line improvements, and electrical and gas
21 supply improvements. Grant funding may not be used for routine maintenance or
22 operating costs. For purposes of grant eligibility, value-added agriculture businesses
23 includes the same businesses as provided under section 4.1-01.1-07.
Page No. 1 23.0510.03000
Sixty-eighth
Legislative Assembly
1 SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION - TRANSFER TO AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE
2 FUND. There is appropriated out of any moneys in the general fund in the state treasury, not
3 otherwise appropriated, the sum of $15,000,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary,
4 which the office of management and budget shall transfer to the agriculture infrastructure fund
5 during the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025.
6 SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER. There is appropriated
7 out of any moneys in the agriculture infrastructure fund in the state treasury, not otherwise
8 appropriated, the sum of $15,000,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the
9 agriculture commissioner for the purpose of providing grants for infrastructure improvements
10 necessary for the development or enhancement of new or existing value-added agriculture
11 businesses pursuant to section 1 of this Act, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, and
12 ending June 30, 2025. Of the $15,000,000, up to $10,000,000 is available for grants to political
13 subdivisions, and any remaining moneys are available for grants to individuals or organizations.
Page No. 2 23.0510.03000