North Dakota House Bill HB1065

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/25
• Refer: 1/7/25
• Report Pass: 1/13/25
• Engrossed: 1/16/25
• Refer: 2/5/25
• Report Pass: 3/7/25
• Enrolled: 3/12/25
• Passed: 3/18/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 57-51.1-07.8 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the county and township infrastructure fund.

Summary

HB 1065 amends North Dakota law governing the county and township infrastructure fund. The bill changes the distribution formula for money sent to non-oil-producing counties for the benefit of organized and unorganized townships, setting the payment at the lesser of 13% of the fund balance or $16.1 million. It keeps the existing approach of allocating money based on each township’s share of township road miles, using road-mile certifications provided to the state treasurer. The bill also preserves the current distinction between organized and unorganized townships. Funds for organized townships are paid through the county treasurer to each township, while funds for unorganized townships are credited to a special fund for unorganized township roads. Townships that do not maintain any township roads remain ineligible for an allocation under this section.

Impact

HB 1065 directly amends subsection 3 of section 57-51.1-07.8 of the North Dakota Century Code, affecting the county and township infrastructure fund distribution rules. Its practical effect is to update the dollar cap and percentage-based transfer amount for non-oil-producing counties and to continue tying allocations to certified township road miles. The bill affects county treasurers, township governments, and the state treasurer’s administration of infrastructure funding.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House 90-3 and the Senate 47-0, indicating strong agreement that the funding formula should be updated. The lack of committee transcript discussion suggests the measure was likely viewed as a routine or technical funding adjustment rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

No major points of contention are evident in the available record. The only potentially sensitive issue is the allocation formula itself, particularly the use of township road miles and the exclusion of townships that do not maintain township roads, but the overwhelmingly favorable votes suggest these provisions were not seriously disputed. The bill was requested by the State Treasurer, which also suggests administrative support rather than legislative conflict.