AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of transportation for nonfixed route transit program grants.
Summary
HB 1106 appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to the North Dakota Department of Transportation for the 2025-2027 biennium. The money is designated for grants to nonfixed route public transportation providers, which are transit services that do not operate on a fixed schedule or route and typically serve riders through demand-response or flexible routing systems.
The bill does not amend existing regulatory language; instead, it creates a targeted funding stream within the state budget for transit grant support. By directing funds to the Department of Transportation, it gives the agency authority to distribute grants to eligible nonfixed route providers during the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
Impact
HB 1106 affects state spending rather than substantive transportation law. It adds a $2 million general fund appropriation to the Department of Transportation and supports nonfixed route public transit providers, which may include rural dial-a-ride, paratransit, and other flexible transportation services. The bill’s practical impact is to expand or stabilize transit access for riders who rely on services that do not follow fixed bus routes, while increasing state expenditures for the biennium.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House 81-4 and the Senate unanimously 46-0, suggesting strong agreement that nonfixed route transit grants are a worthwhile public investment. The lack of committee transcript material limits insight into debate, but the vote margins indicate a generally favorable sentiment toward the appropriation.
Contention
No major policy controversy is evident in the available record. The only apparent point of disagreement is the level of state funding and the use of general fund dollars for transit grants, as reflected by the small number of House no votes. Otherwise, the bill’s focus on supporting transportation access for riders who depend on nonfixed route services appears to have been broadly accepted by both chambers.