The proposed bill aims to establish a new grant program for the Research Technology Park at North Dakota State University, which will be administered by the industrial commission. The bill replaces the existing fund structure with a grant program, allowing for legislative appropriations to support research and development activities focused on intelligent autonomous mobile equipment. The Research Technology Park will conduct exploratory and innovative research, develop technologies for efficient use of the state's agricultural resources, and provide education related to advanced technology. Each biennium, the park will create a plan for fund utilization, which must be approved by the industrial commission.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $15 million from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to support this grant program during the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. Of this amount, $7.5 million will be granted to the Research Technology Park without a matching requirement, while the remaining $7.5 million will be contingent upon the park securing matching funds from non-state sources. The bill also mandates annual reporting of research activities and accomplishments to the industrial commission and legislative management, ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of the funds.