ND SB2018

Appropriates $129.2 million total funds ($33.7 million from general fund) to the Department of Commerce for the 2021-23 biennium, with reductions in salaries/wages and elimination of the North Dakota trade office line item.

Transfers the International Business and Trade Office from the Department of Commerce to the Agriculture Commissioner, with authority to designate a nonprofit corporation or contract with a third party to operate the office while maintaining state ownership of all data and databases.

Allocates $20 million in one-time funding for a Beyond Visual Line of Sight Unmanned Aircraft System program and $7 million for Enhanced Use Lease Grants from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund.

Provides $12 million from federal coronavirus relief funds for tourism marketing ($7 million), technical skills training ($1 million), travel agent emergency grants ($2 million), and event center emergency grants ($2 million).

Requires legislative management study during 2021-22 interim on state data storage practices, including security, location, ownership, and cloud-based storage costs, with recommendations to the 68th Legislative Assembly.