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HB 1492

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of public instruction for a passthrough grant for a science museum construction project.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Josh Boschee and 4 co-sponsors

Provides a one-time $24M general-fund passthrough to fund a science museum construction, contingent on $24M nonstate matching.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 2 nays 90
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Bill Summary · HB 1492

Summary — HB 1492 (North Dakota version): Appropriation for science museum passthrough grant

Note: The packet submitted contains multiple different bills titled “HB 1492” from various states. This summary addresses the North Dakota text included in the materials: a one‑time appropriation to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for a passthrough grant to support a science museum construction project.

Purpose and intent

Provide one-time state funding to support construction of a science museum by making a passthrough grant to a qualified recipient, contingent on the recipient raising matching nonstate funds. The bill aims to leverage private or other nonstate investment to support an education‑related infrastructure project.

Key provisions

  • Appropriation: $24,000,000 (twenty‑four million dollars) from the state general fund, “or so much as may be necessary,” for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2027.
  • Recipient/administration: Funds are appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction, which would make the passthrough grant to the prospective recipient.
  • Matching requirement: The DPI may award the grant only upon certification from the prospective grant recipient that it has raised at least $24,000,000 in matching funds from nonstate sources (i.e., a dollar‑for‑dollar match is required).
  • One‑time item: The appropriation is explicitly treated as one‑time funding.

Eligibility/conditions

  • The prospective grant recipient must certify $24,000,000 in nonstate matching funds before DPI may award the passthrough grant. The bill does not provide further eligibility criteria or selection process details in the text provided.

Fiscal impact

  • State cost: $24,000,000 (one‑time) charged to the general fund for FY2026–FY2027 biennium, subject to appropriation language and actual award conditions.
  • Leverage: If fully matched, the provision would support at least $48,000,000 in project financing (state + nonstate).
  • No additional recurring state appropriation is provided.

Affected parties

  • Department of Public Instruction (administrative role).
  • The prospective science museum (grant recipient) and its private/nonstate funders.
  • State general fund and taxpayers (source of appropriation).
  • Local communities and schools that may benefit from museum programs and construction‑related economic activity.

Timeline and effective period

  • Appropriation is for the biennium July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.
  • No specific award deadline or project completion timeline is included in the text provided.

Procedural history / current status (from provided record)

  • Introduced (filed) — dates vary in packet; the ND bill text lists introduction in the 69th Legislative Assembly.
  • Recorded actions in materials include: read first time, referred to Public Health, placed on second reading for amendment, and later entries noting “WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR” (4/14/2025) and “Recommended for study in the Interim by the Committee.”
  • Because the packet includes multiple, sometimes conflicting, status entries from different jurisdictions, the final legislative disposition for the North Dakota appropriation should be verified with the North Dakota legislative status page or the Legislature’s clerk for the most current status.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive: Would leverage substantial private investment, support STEM education infrastructure, and create construction and long‑term educational programming benefits.
  • Considerations: The state will expend $24M of general fund resources; the grant is conditioned on matching funds, which could delay or prevent award if matching is not secured. The bill lacks detailed award criteria, oversight provisions, or performance/accountability measures in the excerpt provided.

If you want, I can:
- Verify the bill’s final status with North Dakota legislative records,
- Draft a brief fiscal-note style analysis of potential budgetary effects, or
- Prepare talking points outlining pros and cons for stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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