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SB 2021

AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the information technology department; to amend and reenact sections 54-35-15.1, 54-59-14, and 54-59-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to membership of the information technology committee and the information technology operating fund; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide for a legislative management report.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

Provides a biennial $200.5 million ITD appropriation for 2025–27 to fund salaries, operations, and IT projects, with flexible transfers and reporting requirements.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/23
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Bill Summary · SB 2021

SB 2021 — Information Technology Department appropriation and related changes (ND)

Status: Filed with Secretary of State 04/23/2025; enrolled and approved by Governor. Effective for the 2025–27 biennium (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).

Main purpose

Provide biennial appropriations to the North Dakota Information Technology Department (ITD); revise statutory provisions governing the IT legislative interim committee and the IT operating fund; authorize specific transfers and exemptions; require reporting and allow certain one‑time expenditures.

Key provisions and dollar amounts

  • Biennial appropriation (2025–27):
    • Total all funds: $200,508,732
    • Less other funds: $152,467,596
    • Total general fund: $48,041,136
    • Full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions: 509 (an increase of 2 FTE from base)
  • Major line items (final appropriation examples):
    • Salaries and wages: $128,981,318
    • Operating expenses: $20,139,993
    • Statewide interoperable radio network: $15,604,610
    • Health information technology office: $7,751,242
    • K‑12 wide area network, Edutech, GIS, longitudinal data system listed with funded amounts
  • One‑time funding (other funds / strategic investment and improvements fund): $3,512,670 total, including:
    • State data center migration project: $1,719,061
    • IT services automation and software licenses: $1,793,609
    • The department must report use of one‑time funds to the appropriations committees for the 70th Legislative Assembly.
  • New and vacant FTE pool: $8,403,424 allocated as a pool; ITD may not directly spend this line item but can request OMB to transfer amounts into salary line items per established guidelines.
  • Bank of North Dakota transfer: Authorizes the Bank to transfer up to $3,000,000 from the Health Information Technology Planning Loan Fund to the Electronic Health Information Exchange Fund at the CIO’s request to support the Health Information Technology Office and network.
  • Line‑item transfer exemption: Notwithstanding NDCC 54‑16‑04, the OMB director shall transfer funds between line items in this appropriation (except the new & vacant FTE pool) at the CIO’s request for IT project development; the department must notify the Legislative Council of transfers.
  • Continuing appropriation/account changes:
    • Establishes/clarifies the state information technology operating fund/account and continues deposits of charges for IT/network services.
    • Adds a limitation: continuing appropriation authority may not be used to pay salaries/wages.
    • Requires quarterly reporting on the operating fund to the budget section and presentation of the most recent report to appropriation committees each session (expenditures by object code, service categories provided, and fund balance).
  • Acceptance of funds: ITD may accept federal/other funds deposited into the operating account or accounts specified by OMB and may apply for grants; such funds remain subject to legislative appropriation.
  • IT committee membership (NDCC 54‑35‑15.1): Legislative Management shall appoint an Interim Information Technology Committee of six House members and five Senators. The state CIO and one DHHS‑appointed individual with IT experience are ex officio nonvoting members.

Who is affected

  • Information Technology Department operations and staffing.
  • State agencies, institutions, school districts and other users receiving IT/network services (that pay charges to ITD).
  • Bank of North Dakota (fund transfer authority).
  • Department of Health and Human Services (appointment to the IT committee).
  • Legislative budget/appropriations and oversight bodies (additional reporting responsibilities).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Appropriations cover July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.
  • Required reports on one‑time funds and quarterly operating fund status to be provided to appropriations committees and budget section; carryforward/exemption provisions allow specified prior appropriations to remain available into the 2025–27 biennium (bill enumerates specific prior appropriations).
  • The bill grants OMB and the CIO flexible intra‑appropriation transfer authority for IT project needs, with legislative notification requirements.

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

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