This bill proposes an appropriation of approximately $2.7 billion for the North Dakota Department of Transportation to cover expenses for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. It introduces a new section to the North Dakota Century Code establishing a legacy earnings fund, which will receive distributions based on a specified formula. The bill also amends existing laws related to various funds, including the flexible transportation fund and the state rail fund, while repealing previous definitions and provisions concerning the legacy earnings fund. Key changes include the removal of the legacy earnings fund from the state investment board's investment requirements and a new allocation structure for the flexible transportation fund, which designates specific percentages for counties, cities, and townships.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 57-40.3-10, changing the allocation of revenue collected under the chapter by deleting the previous fifty-fifty split between the general fund and the flexible transportation fund. Instead, all collected funds will be deposited monthly into the state treasury and allocated to the flexible transportation fund. The bill also mandates the Department of Transportation to prepare an environmental impact statement for a four-lane highway along the Theodore Roosevelt expressway and explore cooperative agreements for managing a rest area at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Provisions for unexpended appropriations related to road and bridge construction projects and information technology initiatives are included, allowing these funds to carry over into the next biennium, with the new allocation method for motor vehicle excise tax collections effective after July 31, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Committee: 6-09.4-10.1, 21-10-06, 24-02-37.3, 49-17.1-05, 54-27-19.3, 57-40.3-10
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 6-09.4-10.1, 21-10-06, 24-02-37.3, 49-17.1-05, 54-27-19.3, 57-40.3-10