ND SB2078

Appropriates $95,838,915 total funds ($32,538,344 general fund) to the North Dakota Department of Commerce for the biennium July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019, with funding allocated to salaries, operating expenses, grants, and discretionary funds.

Reduces full-time equivalent positions from 69.40 to 66.40 and includes new funding for flood impact grants/loans ($5,201,752), base retention grants ($1,000,000), and unmanned aircraft systems operations ($2,000,000).

Transfers $1,500,000 from operating expenses to the internship fund for the operation intern program and declares this funding an emergency measure.

Establishes guidelines for new grant programs including child care facility grants (maximum $3,000 per grant with 1:3 matching requirement) and entrepreneurship grants and vouchers ($1,500,000 total).

Requires the North Dakota trade office to provide one dollar in matching funds from private or public sources for every state dollar spent beyond 70% of the $2,352,060 appropriated.