This bill appropriates funding for the industrial commission and its associated agencies for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, detailing allocations for various initiatives, including a rail revolving loan fund and the abandoned oil and gas well plugging and site reclamation fund. It amends sections of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the confidentiality of records related to the Bank of North Dakota and introduces new funding mechanisms for the industrial commission, the Bank of North Dakota, and the Housing Finance Agency. Key amendments include the removal of certain confidentiality protections regarding financing records and the introduction of new exemptions for specific records, as well as the allocation of funds for projects such as hydrogen energy research and lignite marketing feasibility studies.

Additionally, the bill establishes a rebuilders loan program to assist residents affected by disasters and modifies the guarantee reserve fund's structure, increasing allowable transfers from the strategic investment and improvements fund to $160 million. It also mandates the Bank of North Dakota to adopt policies for new loan programs and outlines guidelines for rail project approvals. The legislation includes provisions for a housing incentive fund administered by the housing finance agency and requires various studies on homelessness and economic development opportunities in western North Dakota. An emergency measure is included, declaring certain sections urgent, with specific provisions taking effect on July 1, 2027. The bill has garnered significant bipartisan support in both legislative chambers.

Statutes affected:
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee: 6-08.1-02, 6-09-35, 6-09.14-04
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 6-08.1-02, 6-09-35, 6-09.14-04
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Committee: 6-08.1-02, 6-09-35, 6-09-46.2, 6-09.7-05, 6-09.14-04, 49-17.1-02.1, 54-17-40, 54-17.7-04
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Conference Committee: 6-08.1-02, 6-09-35, 6-09-46.2, 6-09.7-05, 6-09.14-04, 49-17.1-02.1, 54-17-40, 54-17.7-04
Enrollment: 6-08.1-02, 6-09-35, 6-09-46.2, 6-09.7-05, 6-09.14-04, 49-17.1-02.1, 54-17-40, 54-17.7-04