This bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the powers and duties of the emergency commission and budget section. Key changes include requiring legislative assembly consent for campus improvements and building maintenance projects exceeding $700,000, along with a stipulation that any new project must involve the removal of an equivalent or greater square footage of existing buildings. The bill also clarifies that the budget section can authorize certain expenditures and changes to public improvements during periods when the legislative assembly is not in session, provided they meet specific guidelines.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for the emergency commission's approval process, mandating budget section approval for various financial actions, including fund transfers and acceptance of federal funds. It removes previous language that allowed for certain approvals without budget section consent, ensuring that all requests comply with specified measures. The bill also allows for borrowing from the Bank of North Dakota for disaster response, contingent on approval from both the emergency commission and the budget section, and establishes borrowing limits based on estimated federal reimbursements. Overall, the bill aims to improve oversight and accountability in managing state funds and projects, while appropriating $70,750,000 for state contingencies over the biennium from various funds, including a significant allocation of $50,000,000 from federal sources.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 15-10-12.1, 48-01.2-25, 54-16-03, 54-16-04, 54-16-04.1, 54-16-09, 54-16-13
Enrollment: 15-10-12.1, 48-01.2-25, 54-16-03, 54-16-04, 54-16-04.1, 54-16-09, 54-16-13