ND SB2018

Appropriates $99,728,338 in total funds to the North Dakota Department of Commerce for the 2017-19 biennium, with $31,342,680 from the general fund and 66.40 full-time equivalent positions.

Includes $172,554 ($135,102 from general fund) for employee health insurance premium increases from $1,130 to $1,241 per month.

Establishes targeted grant programs including $600,000 for base retention grants to air force/air national guard communities, $2,000,000 for unmanned aircraft systems test site operations, and $3,000,000 for enhanced use lease grants related to unmanned aircraft industry development.

Requires matching funds for North Dakota trade office funding ($1 match for every $1 state funding beyond 60% of the $2,000,000 allocation) and energy research center grants ($1 match for every $1 state funding).

Declares $950,000 in operating expenses for the operation intern program an emergency measure and transfers $4,000,000 from the research North Dakota fund to the general fund during the biennium.