A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the university of North Dakota; and to authorize a line of credit.
Summary
SB 2286 would authorize the University of North Dakota to borrow up to $55 million through a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota during the 2025-2027 biennium. If the university uses that credit, it would be required to seek a future deficiency appropriation from the general fund to repay it. The bill also appropriates up to $95 million in other funds, including line-of-credit proceeds and gifts, grants, donations, and local funds, for a major addition to UND’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The stated purpose of the project is to build a health professions collaborative facility that would expand workforce capacity in health, behavioral health, and wellness, while also supporting research and academic excellence. The appropriation is designated as one-time funding.
Impact
The bill would have created a new financing mechanism and appropriation authority for UND, allowing the university to access state-backed credit and other non-general-fund sources for a large capital project. It would have affected the University of North Dakota, the Bank of North Dakota, and potentially the state general fund if a future legislature were asked to repay any borrowed amount through a deficiency appropriation. Because the bill failed, these statutory and budgetary changes did not take effect.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have had strong support in the Senate, passing second reading 47-0, suggesting broad agreement on the need for the project at that stage. However, it was overwhelmingly rejected in the House on second reading, 87-6, indicating that support did not carry across both chambers. The final outcome was failure, despite the project’s focus on health workforce and medical education.
Contention
The main point of contention was likely the size and financing structure of the proposal, especially the use of a Bank of North Dakota line of credit and the possibility that the general fund could later be asked to repay it. Supporters likely emphasized the need to expand medical and behavioral health training capacity and research infrastructure at UND, while opponents in the House appear to have objected to the fiscal exposure, the scale of the appropriation, or both. The sharp split between Senate and House votes suggests disagreement over whether the project should be funded through this mechanism and at this magnitude.
AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the state historical society; to amend and reenact section 55-01-02.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to jurisdiction of the heritage center; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; and to declare an emergency.
A wastewater infrastructure grant program and the duties of the department of environmental quality; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a legislative management study; and to declare an emergency.
The establishment of the immigration law clinic at the university of North Dakota school of law; to provide for a report; and to provide an appropriation.
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 4.1-01.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a value-added milk processing facility incentive program; and to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit.
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 15-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the establishment of the immigration law clinic at the university of North Dakota school of law; to provide for a report; and to provide an appropriation.
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 23.1-07 and a new subsection to section 23.1-07-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a wastewater infrastructure grant program and the duties of the department of environmental quality; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a legislative management study; and to declare an emergency.
County achievement days; to provide for a transfer; to authorize a line of credit; to provide an exemption; to provide for a report; and to declare an emergency.