The creation of an office of immigration and the immigration workforce loan program; to provide a transfer; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for a report.
Impact
The bill proposes significant changes to state statutes by establishing a specific funding mechanism through the Immigration Workforce Loan Fund. The state would invest $10 million, transferring funds from the legacy earnings fund to support this initiative over a specified biennium. The loans, aimed at eligible immigrants or families residing in North Dakota for less than a year, would help cover various costs, thus incentivizing residency and participation in the local economy. Loan forgiveness is tied to employment and education milestones, potentially leading to a more integrated workforce.
Summary
Senate Bill 2151 aims to create an Office of Immigration within the Bank of North Dakota, tasked with promoting immigration and administering an Immigration Workforce Loan Program. This initiative seeks to address workforce challenges in the state by encouraging the resettlement of immigrants and refugees. The new office will collaborate with businesses and nonprofit organizations to market North Dakota as a favorable destination for immigrant families, thus playing a critical role in workforce development.
Contention
Notably, the bill has faced criticism regarding the long-term implications for state finances and the administrative burden on the newly formed office. Some legislators express concerns that the loan program may not attract enough participants to justify the financial investment, particularly since loans are capped at $160,000 and the program has a set expiration for new loans by 2029. Moreover, there may be worries around the effectiveness of the office in providing legal assistance to immigrant families amidst evolving immigration policies.
The legacy investment for technology program, the North Dakota development fund, the workforce enhancement council, the administration of uncrewed aircraft system programs, workforce development grants to tribally controlled community colleges, and a North Dakota development fund grant program; to provide a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a report; and to declare an emergency.
Matching grants for legal education and the workforce education advisory council; to provide for a transfer; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide loan authorization for the Mayville state university old main project; to provide for a report; to provide an exemption; to provide legislative intent; and to declare an emergency.
The purpose of the North Dakota development fund, duties and talent strategy of the division of workforce development, the uncrewed aircraft systems program, the uncrewed aircraft systems program fund, the beyond visual line of sight uncrewed aircraft system program, and changing the name of the office of legal immigration to the global talent office; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; to provide for a transfer; to provide an application; to provide an exemption; and to provide for a legislative management report.
The establishment of the immigration law clinic at the university of North Dakota school of law; to provide for a report; and to provide an appropriation.
The skilled workforce student loan repayment and scholarship programs, Native American scholarships, and the North Dakota scholarship; and to provide an appropriation.
A transfer of Bank of North Dakota profits to a water infrastructure revolving loan fund; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a report; to provide a penalty; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide a contingent effective date; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.