This bill amends sections of the North Dakota Century Code to establish and regulate the municipal infrastructure fund and the county and township infrastructure fund. The municipal infrastructure fund is created to provide grants specifically for essential infrastructure projects in cities located in non-oil-producing counties, excluding hub cities. The bill mandates that cities receiving grants must report on their use of the funds by November 30 of each even-numbered year, with penalties for non-compliance, including ineligibility for future grants for two years. Additionally, if a city adopts policies conflicting with energy infrastructure projects approved by state agencies, it will also lose eligibility for grants.

Similarly, the county and township infrastructure fund is established to provide grants for road and bridge infrastructure projects in non-oil-producing counties and townships. Counties must also report on the use of grant funds by the same deadline, with similar penalties for non-compliance. The bill outlines the distribution of funds based on specific criteria, including the needs of organized and unorganized townships, and establishes that if a county or township adopts conflicting policies regarding energy infrastructure, they will be ineligible for grants. Overall, the bill aims to ensure that funds are used appropriately for infrastructure development while imposing strict reporting and compliance requirements.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 57-51.1-07.7, 57-51.1-07.8