ND SB2018

Appropriates $158,285,660 total ($42,295,953 general fund, $115,989,707 other funds) to the Department of Commerce for the 2025-27 biennium, including $101,557,315 for grants and $7,000,000 for new workforce programs, with 65.80 FTE positions

Allocates $62,775,000 from the strategic investment and improvements fund for targeted programs including $15,000,000 for tourism destination development, $15,000,000 for beyond visual line of sight drone systems, $9,000,000 for uncrewed aerial vehicle replacement to comply with federal security requirements, and $7,500,000 for autonomous agriculture grants

Authorizes $25,000,000 transfer from strategic investment fund to North Dakota Development Fund plus up to $25,000,000 Bank of North Dakota line of credit for development fund programs, with up to $10,000,000 permitted for nonprimary sector business activities

Renames the Office of Legal Immigration to the Global Talent Office and requires the Department of Commerce to submit semiannual grant program reports to the budget section detailing purposes, funding history, recipients, and distribution dates

Establishes new autonomous technology grant programs: $250,000 to the Attorney General for law enforcement drone use in missing persons searches and crime scenes, and $250,000 to Career and Technical Education for workforce training centers addressing oil and gas industry shortages