This bill proposes the establishment of a rural catalyst committee, a grant program, and a dedicated fund to enhance quality of life in rural communities across North Dakota. It amends the existing definitions in section 54-40.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code to include new terms such as "Commissioner" and "Department," which refer to the commissioner of the department of commerce and the department of commerce itself, respectively. The bill creates a rural catalyst committee composed of various members, including representatives from regional councils, the legislative assembly, and the governor's office, tasked with meeting at least semiannually to review and award grants for community improvement projects.

Additionally, the bill establishes a rural catalyst grant program administered by the department of commerce, which will provide funding for projects addressing critical needs in rural areas with populations of 8,500 or less. The program requires grant recipients to match funds from nonstate sources and mandates the department to report biennially on the program's outcomes. A new rural catalyst fund will be created to support these grants, with a specific allocation for communities with populations under 1,000. The bill also includes a provision for transferring $30 million from the strategic investment and improvements fund to the rural catalyst fund during the 2025-2027 biennium.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 54-40.1-02
Adopted by the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee: 54-40.1-02
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 54-40.1-02