Summary — HB 1193
AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the attorney general for a peace officer and correctional officer appreciation grant program; and to provide for a legislative management report.
Status & timing
- Introduced (North Dakota): January 2025.
- Appropriation covers the 2025–2027 biennium (fiscal period July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).
- The appropriation is designated one‑time funding.
Purpose / intent
- Provide one‑time state grant funding to support retention, recruitment, and training of peace officers and correctional officers across city and county agencies (and related law enforcement entities) through direct grants administered by the Attorney General.
Key provisions
- Appropriation amount and source:
- Final (engrossed) appropriation: $3,500,000 (one‑time).
- Source: Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund (amendment from earlier drafts that proposed larger amounts from the general fund).
- Grant administration:
- The Attorney General administers the program and distributes grants to each city and county law enforcement agency.
- Distribution is proportional: each agency’s share is based on the number of licensed peace officers and correctional officers it employs relative to the statewide total.
- Small agency set‑aside:
- At least $750,000 of the appropriation must be awarded to city and county law enforcement agencies that employ ten or fewer law‑enforcement personnel.
- Permitted uses of grant funds:
- Retention bonuses for current peace officers and correctional officers.
- Tuition and fee payments on behalf of law‑enforcement trainees.
- (Earlier drafts included hiring bonuses and up to $6,000 appreciation bonuses and reimbursements tied to length of service; the enacted language emphasizes retention bonuses and trainee tuition/fees.)
- Reporting:
- During the 2025–26 interim, the Attorney General must report to Legislative Management on program use and effectiveness. Required reporting elements include: number of grants provided, average bonus amounts provided by agencies and correctional facilities, and other program outcomes.
Who is affected
- Primary recipients: city and county law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities across the state.
- Beneficiaries: current peace officers and correctional officers (through retention bonuses) and recruits/trainees (through tuition/fee support).
- State administration: Office of the Attorney General (grant management, reporting).
Budgetary impact and notes
- One‑time appropriation of $3.5 million; no ongoing funding obligation specified.
- At least $750,000 is targeted to very small agencies (≤10 officers), which may help rural/small jurisdictions.
- The bill was amended in committee and floor action: original proposals included larger sums and alternative distribution/eligibility structures; the final enrolled/engrossed bill narrows scope and fixes the appropriation level and fund source.
Procedural / timeline aspects
- Appropriation applies to the 2025–27 biennium (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).
- AG must submit an interim report in 2025–26 to the Legislative Management evaluating use and effectiveness of the grants.
- Funding is explicitly one‑time; any further or recurring funding would require new legislation.
Bottom line
HB 1193 establishes a one‑time, $3.5 million grant program, administered by the Attorney General, to deliver retention bonuses and training support to law enforcement and correctional agencies statewide, with a meaningful portion reserved for very small agencies, and requires an interim evaluation report to the legislature.
