This bill mandates a performance audit of the North Dakota Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, to be conducted by an independent third party from out of state. The audit will cover the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, and is required to evaluate the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the department's economic development programs against industry best practices for the years 2020 to 2024. The chairman of the legislative management is responsible for arranging the audit, with a report due by August 30, 2026, which will include recommendations for improvements based on the findings.

Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation of $200,000 from the general fund to support the costs associated with the performance audit. This funding is designated for the legislative management to facilitate the contracting process for the audit, ensuring that the necessary financial resources are available for this evaluation of the department's operations and programs.