ND HB1034

Amends North Dakota Century Code section 54-44.1-12 to regulate how the budget director controls expenditure rates across state government departments and agencies.

Requires all allotments be made by specific fund with uniform percentage basis across departments, except for Department of Public Instruction appropriations for foundation aid, transportation aid, and special education aid.

Allows the first 2.5 percent allotment for public instruction to be offset by transfers from the foundation aid stabilization fund, and excess allotments above 2.5 percent may be offset after budget stabilization fund transfers are exhausted.

Requires the budget director to find one or more specific circumstances before reducing funds or disallowing expenditures: insufficient revenues, lack of legal authorization, contradiction of legislative intent, or changed circumstances allowing accomplishment at lesser cost.

Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support: House vote 90-0 (4 absent) and Senate vote 45-0 (2 absent).