The proposed bill seeks to appropriate funds for the legislative branch of North Dakota state government for the fiscal period ending June 30, 2027, while making several amendments to the North Dakota Century Code. Key changes include the introduction of new provisions for the application, transfer, and cancellation of unexpended appropriations, as well as the removal of the requirement for a legislative management study and the declaration of an emergency. The bill outlines specific funding allocations for salaries, operating expenses, and capital assets, and includes one-time funding for legislative assembly upgrades and costs associated with new positions. Additionally, it allows for the transfer of appropriation authority between line items and adjusts compensation rates for legislative leaders and members, including changes to lodging and travel reimbursement rates.

Moreover, the bill significantly alters the compensation structure for members of the legislative management and its committees by increasing the daily compensation rate from $200 to $519 through June 30, 2024, and then to $226 thereafter. It also provides an additional $10 per day for the chairman of the legislative management and committee chairpersons. The bill expresses the legislative intent for the management to review the accessibility of legislative chambers and gather information on improving access, while eliminating the previously mandated study on advanced nuclear energy, which had a funding allocation of $650,000. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the legislative budget process, enhance operational efficiency, and address compensation and accessibility issues.

Statutes affected:
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division Committee: 54-03-10, 54-03-20, 54-35-10
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 54-03-10, 54-03-20, 54-35-10
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Committee: 48-08-04, 54-03-10, 54-03-20, 54-35-10
Adopted by the House: 48-08-04, 54-03-10, 54-03-20, 54-35-10