AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of veterans' affairs for a veterans' national cemetery grant; to authorize a line of credit; and to provide for a report.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Randy Burckhard and 5 co-sponsors

Provides up to $3,000,000 as a one-time grant via a Bank of North Dakota line of credit to fund construction at a veterans’ cemetery, contingent on federal approval.

Filed with Secretary Of State 05/02

Purpose

Provide one-time funding (up to $3,000,000) to support construction of a welcome center/chapel, parking, and related infrastructure at a veterans’ national cemetery in North Dakota by making proceeds available to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ND DVA) for a grant to a nonprofit organization.

Key provisions

Authorizes ND DVA to borrow up to $3,000,000 via a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota during the 2025–2027 biennium (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027). Proceeds are appropriated to ND DVA to provide a construction grant to a nonprofit for the veterans’ national cemetery project.

The appropriation is classified as one-time funding.

Interest rate on the line of credit may not exceed the prevailing rate charged to North Dakota governmental entities.

If the line of credit is used, ND DVA (or the Bank of North Dakota) must request a deficiency appropriation from the Legislative Assembly to repay the borrowing.

Funding availability is conditioned on ND DVA certifying to the Office of Management and Budget director that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration has provided final approval of the project plan and authorization to begin construction (i.e., federal planning/oversight/approval required).

Grant recipient reporting requirements: any nonprofit receiving funds must provide ND DVA a report on fund use, including copies of all invoices and checks.

ND DVA must forward the financial information it receives to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee and report to that committee on project status during the 2025–26 interim.

Who is affected

North Dakota Department of Veterans’ Affairs — manages the loan/appropriation, grants administration, and reporting.

Bank of North Dakota — provides the line of credit.

Nonprofit organization(s) selected to receive the grant — responsible for construction of the welcome center/chapel, parking, and infrastructure and for detailed reporting of expenditures.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration — must provide required approval/oversight to unlock state funding.

Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee and Office of Management and Budget — receive project information and certification.

Fiscal and procedural notes

Maximum state exposure is $3,000,000; however, repayment of the line of credit requires a future deficiency appropriation if borrowed.

The appropriation is explicitly one-time and restricted to the 2025–2027 biennium.

Reporting and federal approval conditions are designed to ensure project oversight and federal coordination before state funds are expended.

Potential impacts / considerations

Enables timely local construction support for veterans’ cemetery amenities while tying state funding to federal approval and oversight.

Use of a line of credit shifts initial outlay risk into a borrowing that will require legislative action to repay, rather than an immediate cash appropriation from general funds.

The reporting requirements increase transparency of grant-funded spending to legislative oversight bodies.

Bill