AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating the bridge on state highway 31 north of New Salem as the Specialist Dennis "DJ" Ferderer Jr. Iraq bridge; and to provide a continuing appropriation.
Summary
HB 1173 designates the bridge on state highway 31 north of New Salem, between 33rd Street and 32nd Street, as the "Specialist Dennis \"DJ\" Ferderer Jr. Iraq bridge." The bill directs the North Dakota Department of Transportation to place signs along the highway reflecting that designation.
The bill also authorizes the department to accept donated signs or donated funds for the signage. Any donated funds are continuously appropriated to the department for the limited purpose of installing and maintaining the bridge signs, meaning the money can be used without needing a separate appropriation each time.
Impact
The bill makes a narrow amendment to North Dakota Century Code chapter 24-01 by creating a new section for a memorial bridge designation. Its practical effect is to require state transportation officials to install commemorative signage on a specific bridge and to allow a continuing appropriation for donated funds used for that signage. It does not change broader transportation policy, but it does create a permanent statutory memorial and a small ongoing administrative responsibility for the Department of Transportation.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the House 87-0 and the Senate 47-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. The lack of committee transcript material also suggests there was little recorded debate or opposition.
Contention
There is no evident substantive contention in the available record. The only potentially notable policy point is the continuing appropriation for donated funds, which is a common mechanism for memorial signage bills but can sometimes draw scrutiny in other contexts. In this case, however, the unanimous votes suggest no significant disagreement among legislators about the bridge naming or the funding mechanism.