ND HB1018

Appropriates $98,715,014 in total funds to the North Dakota Department of Commerce for the 2019-21 biennium, with $40,291,721 from the general fund, supporting salaries, operating expenses, and grants across various economic development programs.

Establishes a beyond visual line of sight unmanned aircraft system program with $28,000,000 appropriated for the 2017-19 biennium, requiring entities operating the system to pay quarterly fees equal to 3 percent of gross income from the program to the state general fund.

Allocates $2,948,467 for an entrepreneurship grants and vouchers program, with $2,000,000 from the strategic investment and improvements fund to be distributed to entrepreneurial centers in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks ($300,000 each), and Jamestown ($150,000 with matching fund requirement).

Authorizes legislative management to study the future administration and regulation of unmanned aircraft systems, motion picture incentives, and related industry development, with findings to be reported to the 67th Legislative Assembly.

Includes one-time funding for specific initiatives: $800,000 for nonresident nurse recruitment, $75,000 for sculpture maintenance grants, $750,000 for North Dakota gorge preservation, and $1,300,000 for intermodal container shipping fees.