ND HB1519

Appropriates $475,000 from federal state fiscal recovery funds to the Department of Career and Technical Education for uncrewed aircraft system, autonomous vehicle, and autonomous technology grants to a workforce training center serving the northwest area of North Dakota for the biennium July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2025.

Appropriates $275,000 from federal state fiscal recovery funds to the Agriculture Commissioner for uncrewed aircraft system, autonomous vehicle, and autonomous technology grants to individuals and entities in the agriculture industry for the same biennium period.

Allocates $12,500 each to the Department of Career and Technical Education and Agriculture Commissioner from the strategic investment and improvements fund to administer their respective grant programs.

Requires both departments to develop application processes, eligibility criteria, and may require matching funds of one dollar per four dollars awarded by the state; grant recipients must certify the technology is related to workforce training or agricultural operations.

Directs the Legislative Management to study autonomous system utilization for workforce solutions, infrastructure inspection, rural emergency services, agriculture advancement, and energy industry applications, with findings and recommendations due to the sixty-ninth legislative assembly.