Final Bill:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. LINE OF CREDIT - BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA - APPROPRIATION - DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS - DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION REQUEST - VETERANS' NATIONAL CEMETERY GRANT - ONE-TIME FUNDING - REPORT. Subject to the provisions of this section, the department of veterans' affairs may borrow up to $3,000,000 through a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota during the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, the proceeds of which are appropriated to the department of veterans' affairs, for the purpose of providing a grant to a nonprofit organization for construction costs associated with the construction of a welcome center, parking lot, and related infrastructure at a veterans' national cemetery in the state, for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. The appropriation in this section is considered a one-time funding item. The interest rate on the line of credit may not exceed the prevailing interest rate charged to North Dakota governmental entities. If the department of veterans' affairs accesses the line of credit, the department of veterans' affairs shall request a deficiency appropriation from the legislative assembly to repay the line of credit. The appropriation in this section is available only upon certification by the department of veterans' affairs to the director of the office of management and budget that the United States department of veterans affairs national cemetery administration will provide final approval of the project plan and authorization to begin construction on the project. The department of veterans' affairs shall require an organization that receives a grant under this section to provide a report to the department of veterans' affairs on the use of the funds received, including copies of all invoices and checks. The department of veterans' affairs shall provide the information received from the organization to the legislative audit and fiscal review committee and report to the committee on the status of the project during the 2025-26 interim.
Intent of bill:
Appropriate general fund dollars for the construction cost of a welcome center for use by Federal VA, Funeral Honor Guard Members and Families of deceased veterans attending interment ceremonies during inclement weather. Office space, committal ceremony room, secure honor guard equipment storage.
Fiscal note: $3 Million