Senate Bill 2004 Summary

• Appropriates $180.87 million total ($43.82 million general fund) to the state department of health for the 2021-23 biennium, including $13.72 million for COVID-19 response and $3 million for statewide health strategies.

• Changes health council member compensation from a fixed $62.50 per day to the legislative assembly rate under section 54-03-20.

• Transfers remaining tobacco prevention and control trust fund moneys to the community health trust fund on July 1, 2021, and consolidates tobacco settlement funds into the community health trust fund.

• Merges the state department of health into the department of human services effective September 1, 2022, creating the department of health and human services under a single executive director.

• Repeals sections 54-27-25.1 and 61-02.1-05 related to water development trust fund expenditures and authorizes statewide water development project bonds up to $60 million plus issuance costs.

• Declares $350,000 ($221,231 general fund, $128,769 federal funds) for an electronic medical record system as an emergency measure.

• Requires legislative management study during 2021-22 interim on roles of state health officer, health council, medical advisory board, and governor in health department administration.