Summary — SB 2256 (North Dakota): Research Technology Park Grant Program (NDSU)
Status
- Enacted (filed with Secretary of State 05/06/2025). Introduced March 11, 2025; enrolled and legislative actions completed in spring 2025. Final enrolled text creates a grant program and includes a one‑time appropriation for the 2025–27 biennium.
Purpose / Intent
- Establish a state‑administered grant program to support a Research Technology Park at North Dakota State University (NDSU) focused on exploratory, transformational, and product development research that advances “intelligent autonomous mobile equipment” and related robotics/AI capabilities, with the goal of benefiting North Dakota’s economy and environment (notably autonomous agriculture and defense capabilities).
Key provisions
- Administration: The Industrial Commission administers the Research Technology Park grant program and is responsible for grant distributions, subject to legislative appropriation.
- Program activities: The Research Technology Park at NDSU may conduct R&D, product development, scientific and engineering activities, provide access to advanced robotics and AI expertise, and perform education/outreach to advance engineering and technical readiness.
- Authority and partnerships: The park may select research projects; enter contracts/agreements with other higher‑education institutions, federal/private/nonprofit organizations; and accept donations, grants, contributions, and gifts from any source.
- Biennial plan: Every biennium the park must prepare a plan for use of funds (including any industry matching requirements), and that plan must be approved by the Industrial Commission.
- Reporting/oversight: The park must annually report research activities, product development, and accomplishments to the Industrial Commission and Legislative Management. Upon request it must report to the legislative appropriations committees on funding use.
Appropriation / Funding mechanics
- One‑time appropriation: $10,000,000 is appropriated from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027.
- Distribution requirements: Of the $10,000,000 the Industrial Commission shall:
- Distribute $5,000,000 to the Research Technology Park without a matching requirement; and
- May distribute up to an additional $5,000,000 only to the extent the park provides a one‑to‑one match in nonstate funds (i.e., $1 nonstate : $1 state).
- The appropriation is designated a one‑time funding item.
Who is affected
- Primary beneficiary: Research Technology Park at North Dakota State University (NDSU).
- State entities: Industrial Commission (administrator) and Office of Management and Budget (for transfer/appropriation mechanics); Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund (source of one‑time funds).
- Secondary beneficiaries: NDSU partners (other higher‑education institutions, private sector, nonprofits), companies and sectors involved in autonomous agriculture, robotics, AI, and defense‑related technologies; statewide economic development.
Procedural / timing notes
- Funding applies to the 2025–27 biennium (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).
- Program planning is on a biennial cycle and reporting is annual; additional reporting to appropriations committees is by request.
- The Industrial Commission approves biennial plans and oversees distribution and compliance with matching rules.
Potential impacts (summary)
- Short‑term boost: Provides a one‑time infusion (up to $10M) to advance NDSU‑led R&D in autonomy, robotics, and AI.
- Leverage of nonstate funds: Matching provision (up to $5M) incentivizes outside investment.
- Economic development: Intended to support agriculture technology, defense capabilities, workforce/technical readiness, and commercialization opportunities.
- Fiscal: $10M reduction in the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund as a one‑time transfer.
