This bill proposes an appropriation of $500,000 from the state general fund to the North Dakota State Historical Society for compliance with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The funds will be used to establish a compliance committee that includes tribal historic preservation officers from each North Dakota tribe, along with representatives from the state historical society, the Indian affairs commission, and the attorney general's office. Participating tribes may contribute matching funds of up to $100,000, and all funds will be managed in a separate account overseen by the office of management and budget.

The compliance committee is tasked with identifying and prioritizing efforts for the repatriation of culturally significant items, including human remains and funerary objects. It will also develop policies for meetings, grant usage, training, and documentation related to repatriation. Importantly, the bill specifies that the appropriation does not permit any new scientific studies of Native American ancestral remains or burial properties, ensuring that the funds are strictly allocated for compliance and repatriation efforts.