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SCR 4024

A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to consider studying using dedicated funds in the Capitol building fund to build a legislative office building.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Brad Bekkedahl and 4 co-sponsors

Study feasibility of using Capitol Building Fund to finance a new legislative office building and report findings with any implementing legislation.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/21
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Bill Summary · SCR 4024

Summary: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4024 (SCR 4024)

Overview

SCR 4024 is a concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to study the use of dedicated funds in the Capitol Building Fund to construct a legislative office building. The resolution would require a report of findings, including any recommended legislation to implement the plan, to the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.

Purpose and Intent

  • To address space and facility needs for the North Dakota Legislature as the Capitol approaches its 100th anniversary.
  • To evaluate whether dedicated funds in the Capitol Building Fund can be used to finance a legislative office building.
  • To explore related benefits, such as modernizing committee rooms, improving public access, and consolidating space currently leased by executive agencies.

Key Provisions

  • Directs Legislative Management to study the feasibility of using dedicated funds within the Capitol Building Fund to build a legislative office building.
  • Requires Legislative Management to report its findings and recommendations, along with any proposed implementing legislation, to the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.
  • The measure emphasizes potential components of the plan, including:
    • Construction of a parking structure on the west side of the legislative wing (with above-structure space for committee rooms, offices, and staff space).
    • Reassignment of office space currently leased by executive branch agencies, potentially moving them into the Capitol to reduce leased-space costs and improve public access.
    • Addressing current facility deficiencies (small meeting rooms, limited public access, lack of modern technology, inadequate exits, etc.).

Background Context and Financials

  • Capitol Building Fund origins: Established at statehood with a grant of 50,000 acres of land to finance public buildings for legislative, executive, and judicial use; 1957 expansion allowed fund usage for construction, renovation, and improvements at the Capitol.
  • 1967 actions: Legislative Assembly reserved the fund for the exclusive purpose of constructing an addition to the legislative wing.
  • Prior use: Funds have supported various purposes, including special assessments and Governor’s residence maintenance.
  • Current fund status: Fund balance exceeds $5,000,000, while appropriations from the fund for other purposes total nearly $13,000,000 over the last three bienniums.
  • Facility needs cited: Insufficient and outdated legislative meeting rooms, inadequate exits, limited technology readiness, and unsafe winter parking conditions.

Affected Parties

  • Legislative Management and staff
  • Members of the Legislature
  • Executive branch agencies currently leasing Capitol-adjacent space
  • General public and constituents seeking access
  • State taxpayers, through potential shifts in leasing costs and capital spending

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: February 6, 2025
  • Committee: Government and Veterans Affairs (initial referral)
  • Subsequent actions: Committee hearings and passage in both chambers; reported do pass with recommendations, placed on calendars
  • Final status: Enrolled and signed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House; filed with Secretary of State on March 21, 2025
  • Next steps if adopted: Legislative Management would study and prepare a report, along with any proposed implementing legislation, to be considered by the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.

Bottom Line

SCR 4024 initiates a targeted study of funding the construction of a legislative office building using the Capitol Building Fund’s dedicated resources, aiming to modernize facilities, improve public accessibility, and potentially reduce leased-space costs for executive agencies, with a formal report and any implementing legislation to follow.

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

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