ND SB2142

Creates an office of legal immigration within the North Dakota Department of Commerce, with employees reporting to the commissioner.

Office duties include developing a statewide strategy to support business recruitment and retention of foreign labor, advising state officials on immigrant integration, and developing a pilot program to support businesses and communities pursuing legal immigration.

Appropriates $485,000 from the general fund for the 2023-25 biennium to provide salaries and benefits for office staff, with authorization for two full-time equivalent positions.

Requires the Department of Commerce to conduct a study during the 2023-24 interim to determine immigration opportunities, establish performance indicators, design a pilot program structure, and develop a fee-based service system for implementation in the 2025-27 biennium.

Department must report to the 69th Legislative Assembly on the number of immigrants and employers assisted during the 2023-25 biennium and submit findings and recommendations from the immigration study.