A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the agriculture commissioner, the attorney general, the department of career and technical education, the department of health and human services, and the department of transportation to increase the use of uncrewed aircraft systems, autonomous vehicles, or other autonomous technologies in the state; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide for a legislative management report.
Impact
The bill is designed to foster innovation and improve operational efficiency within key sectors. For example, the agriculture commissioner is tasked with awarding grants that facilitate the use of autonomous technologies for enhancing agricultural practices. Meanwhile, the attorney general will utilize similar funding to support law enforcement activities like missing person searches and crime scene investigations. The inclusion of the department of health and human services reflects the growing importance of these technologies in providing rapid emergency responses, particularly in rural areas.
Summary
House Bill 1037 seeks to enhance the use of uncrewed aircraft systems, autonomous vehicles, and other autonomous technologies across the state of North Dakota by providing significant appropriations to various state departments. The bill specifically allocates $750,000 each to the agriculture commissioner, attorney general, department of health and human services, and department of transportation for the fiscal years 2025-2027. These funds are designated for grants aimed at promoting the adoption and integration of such technologies in their respective regions, including agriculture, law enforcement, and emergency medical services.
Contention
Despite its potential benefits, HB 1037 may face scrutiny regarding the allocation of state funds and the implications for existing technologies and workforce roles. Some stakeholders may raise concerns about the effectiveness of grants and whether they will genuinely drive progress in their designated fields. Furthermore, ongoing debates around the efficacy of autonomous systems in high-stakes environments, such as law enforcement and emergency services, may also influence the bill's reception among legislators and the public.
Additional_notes
Furthermore, the bill mandates that a legislative management study be conducted during the 2025-26 interim. This study will evaluate the economic impact of investing in autonomous technologies and provide insights into the sectors that could benefit from their implementation. The findings are expected to inform future legislative decisions regarding the state’s technological infrastructure.
AN ACT to provide appropriations to the department of career and technical education and agriculture commissioner for uncrewed aircraft system, autonomous vehicle, or other autonomous technology grants; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide a report.
AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of health and human services, department of career and technical education, and Bismarck state college for facility-related projects; to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds for a Bismarck state college facility project; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for retroactive application; and to provide an effective date.
The powers and duties of the state auditor and the salary of the state auditor; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; and to declare an emergency.
The autism voucher; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a report; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of transportation for transportation projects to alleviate flooding impacts; to provide for a department of transportation study; and to provide for a report to the legislative management.
Budget section approval limits for the flexible transportation fund; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for retroactive application; and to provide an effective date.
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 establishment of an educational reimbursement program; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.
AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the ethics commission; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide for a legislative management report.
Transfers from the lottery operating fund to the multijurisdictional drug task force grant fund and the salary of the attorney general; to provide a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; and to declare an emergency.
AN ACT to provide appropriations to the department of career and technical education and agriculture commissioner for uncrewed aircraft system, autonomous vehicle, or other autonomous technology grants; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide a report.
A BILL for an Act to provide appropriations to the attorney general, the department of career and technical education, the department of health and human services, and the agriculture commissioner for autonomous technology grants; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide a report.
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.
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.
Western Wildfire Support Act of 2023 This bill establishes activities to address wildfires. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to establish spatial fire management plans before the end of FY2026. The bill establishes accounts in the Treasury for addressing wildfires, a program to train and certify citizens who wish to be able to volunteer to assist USDA or Interior during a wildland fire incident, a program to award grants to eligible states or units of local government to acquire slip-on tank and pump units for a surge capacity of resources for fire suppression, the Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize for the management of wildfire-related invasive species, and the Management of Wildfire-Related Invasive Species Technology Advisory Board. The bill also requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to reimburse a state or federal agency for the costs of wildfire suppression as a result of a fire caused by DOD activity, requires the Joint Fire Science Program to work with unmanned aircraft test ranges to carry out research and development of unmanned aircraft system fire applications, requires federal and state disaster preparedness programs to include postdisaster assistance, and authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide funding to a state agency to establish and operate a website to provide information relating to postfire recovery funding and resources to a community or an individual impacted by a wildland fire.