HB 1025 - BUDGET. NDDVA - 2023

Intent of legislative Bill:

ND Veterans Affairs Budget Optional requests

NDDVA Request and Governor recommendations.

1. Staff salary equity funding.
   1. NDDVA requested $289,710.
   2. Governor recommended $102,000.
   3. House reduced to $85,000.
   4. Senate
2. 1 FTE-DENIED
   1. NDDVA requested return of 1 FTE's lost in 2017 RIF's.
   2. Communications director $199,756     
      1. Governor did NOT recommend. 
      2. House did NOT approve.
      3. NDDVA changed to Deputy Commissioner position.
      4. Senate did NOT approve.
3. 1 FTE Approved 
   1. NDDVA requested return of 1 FTE's lost in 2017 RIF's.
      1. Veterans Benefits Specialist $175,510 
      2. Governor recommended 1-FTE (move Part Time Temp to FTE). 
         1. Using $68,000 federal funds supplanted from HRTG.
         2. Using state general funds for remainder
      3. House approved this FTE.
         1. Reduced $68,000 supplanted funds to $18,000 as bargaining chip.
      4. Senate approved House amendment.
4. 1 Additional DAV Van Approved
   1. NDDVA requested funding for one more vehicle $18,800 (1 in base budget. Total of 2 vans at $37,600)
      1. Governor recommended additional van.
      2. House approved additional van.
      3. Senate amended from General Funds to ARPA dollars. Approved.​​​​​​​​​​​
5. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​$19,066 Retirement funding
   1. NDDVA requested $19,066.
      1. ​​​​​​​Governor recommended at $19,066.
      2. House approved at $19,066.
      3. Senate approved at $19,066.
6. $100,860 Scanning grants for all DD214’s in County and Tribal offices
   1. NDDVA requested: ($78,000-$324,000 as bids were pending during session)   
      1. Governor recommended at $78,000. From General Funds
      2. House approved at $78,000 (waiting on bid results from procurement)
      3. Senate amended to $100,860 (based on bids received) From: ARPA dollars.

HOUSE ACTION:

• Supported Governor Recommendations except...
  • ​​​​​​​Reduced equity funding by -$17,000
  • Removed PTSD dog funding from base budget -$50,000.
    • ​​​​​​​allowed carry over of past biennium.
  • ​​​​​​​Replaced $50,000 of supplanted federal (HRTG) funds with general funds.

SENATE ACTIONS:

• Supported Governor Recommendations amended...
  • ​​​​​​​Equity funding as OMB budget committee recommends.
  • Amended 1 time funding items from General Funds to ARPA dollars.
    • ​​​​​​​1 DAV Van $18,800
    • Scanning Project $100,860