Summary — HB 1581 (North Dakota): Tribal Tourism Grants & Legislative Report
Status
- Introduced: December 11, 2024 (House Bill No. 1581)
- Passed both chambers: House 82–9; Senate 40–6
- Filed with Secretary of State: April 22, 2025
- Session/biennium covered: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027
- Final enacted text (engrossed): one-time appropriation of $100,000 (see “Key provisions”)
Purpose and intent
- Provide one-time state funding to support tribal governments in North Dakota to promote and enhance tribal nation tourism opportunities, and require the Department of Commerce to report to legislative management on how those funds are distributed and used and their impact.
Key provisions
- Appropriation: One-time appropriation from the general fund of $100,000 to the North Dakota Department of Commerce for tribal tourism grants for the 2025–2027 biennium.
- Grant awards: Tribal governments in the state may apply for grants to match funds they commit for tribal tourism projects.
- Grant cap: Up to $20,000 per tribal government (engrossed version). (Earlier introduced language showed larger amounts—$500,000 total with grants up to $100,000—but was amended down in later versions.)
- Application requirements: Each grant application must include a plan describing how funds will be used to promote and enhance tribal nation tourism opportunities.
- Administration: Grants are to be overseen by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism.
- Reporting: The Department of Commerce must report to legislative management on the distribution, use, and impact of the grants.
- Funding characterization: The appropriation is designated as a one-time funding item (no continuing appropriation).
Who is affected
- Tribal governments in North Dakota (eligible to apply for matching grants).
- Department of Commerce (grant administration, oversight, and reporting duties).
- State general fund / taxpayers (one-time $100,000 expenditure).
Fiscal impact and limitations
- State fiscal impact: $100,000 one-time expenditure from the general fund for the 2025–2027 biennium.
- Local/tribal impact: Provides limited matching funds intended to leverage tribal investments in tourism; the $20,000 cap means support will be modest and likely targeted to small-scale projects, marketing, or capacity-building activities.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Grants are available for projects occurring during the 2025–2027 biennium.
- The Department’s report to legislative management will inform the Legislature about distribution and outcomes, which may shape future funding decisions.
Notes
- Multiple earlier draft versions of HB 1581 (as filed) reflected different amounts (e.g., $500,000 total appropriation and grants up to $100,000). The engrossed/enrolled text reduces the appropriation to $100,000 and the per-tribe grant cap to $20,000.
