AN ACT to amend and reenact section 37-14-14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the veterans' postwar trust fund.
Summary
HB 1504 amends North Dakota law governing the veterans' postwar trust fund. The bill keeps the fund as a permanent state trust fund, confirms that the state treasurer is responsible for investing the fund under existing investment rules, and reiterates that investment income may be used only for programs benefiting veterans and their dependents. It also clarifies the timing of appropriations by stating that income earned in one biennium is appropriated on a continuing basis in the following biennium, rather than the biennium in which it is earned.
The bill adds a new provision allowing a veterans organization, as defined in state law, to donate money to the veterans' postwar trust fund specifically for homeless veterans' services. Those donated funds are intended to help prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness. Overall, the measure is a targeted update to the trust fund statute rather than a broad restructuring of veterans' benefits or state finance law.
Impact
HB 1504 makes a narrow but meaningful amendment to section 37-14-14 of the North Dakota Century Code. It preserves the existing structure of the veterans' postwar trust fund, maintains the state treasurer's investment authority under chapter 21-10, and continues the use of investment earnings for veterans' and dependents' programs. The bill also creates an express statutory pathway for veterans organizations to contribute funds earmarked for homeless veterans' services, expanding the fund's potential revenue sources and clarifying permissible uses tied to veteran homelessness prevention and elimination.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been received very positively and without controversy. It passed the House 89-0 and the Senate 45-0, indicating unanimous support in both chambers. The absence of committee transcript material suggests there was little recorded debate or opposition, and the bill's focused purpose likely contributed to the broad consensus.
Contention
There is no notable recorded contention in the available materials. The bill's only substantive policy change is the authorization for veterans organizations to donate to the trust fund for homeless veterans' services, and no objections or competing viewpoints are reflected in the votes or committee record. The unanimous votes suggest that legislators from both parties and chambers viewed the measure as a straightforward support bill for veterans and veteran homelessness services.
AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of veterans' affairs; to amend and reenact sections 37-15-03, 37-15-07, 37-15-16, 37-18-01, and 37-18-07, subsection 1 of section 37-18-12, and section 37-18.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the administrative committee on veterans' affairs; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; and to declare an emergency.
AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 38-14.2-02, and sections 38-14.2-04, 38-14.2-06, and 38-14.2-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to abandoned surface mine reclamation.