The state share of oil and gas tax revenue allocations, the municipal infrastructure fund, and the county and township infrastructure fund.
Impact
If enacted, SB2208 is expected to significantly impact state laws regarding the distribution of oil and gas tax revenues. Adequate allocations will be funneled into infrastructure development, which proponents argue will promote economic growth and facilitate essential services in areas that often struggle with infrastructure funding. Specifically, cities will be required to report on the use of funds, ensuring accountability and enabling local governments to become more responsive to community needs.
Summary
Senate Bill 2208 seeks to amend allocations of state oil and gas tax revenues specifically targeting grants for infrastructure in non-oil-producing counties across North Dakota. The legislation intends to establish two funds: the Municipal Infrastructure Fund, aimed at providing financial assistance to cities for essential infrastructure projects, and the County and Township Infrastructure Fund, designed to support road and bridge projects within non-oil-producing counties. This bill is noteworthy as it specifically excludes hub cities from funding distributions, focusing instead on smaller municipalities that may lack resources for critical infrastructure needs.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB2208 appears to be generally supportive among legislators advocating for rural development and infrastructure improvements. Proponents argue that the bill addresses longstanding disparities in funding allocations faced by non-oil-producing regions, thereby rectifying past inequities. However, there may be concerns regarding the exclusion of hub cities and whether this legislative focus on smaller municipalities will suffice to meet broader state infrastructure challenges.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SB2208 include debates over the fairness of excluding hub cities from the funding distribution, as these cities often see greater traffic and infrastructure wear due to their economic activities. Additionally, questions may arise about the monitoring and accountability mechanisms in place to ensure that grant money is used effectively. The partnerships between cities, counties, and state entities will also need to be clearly defined to prevent any conflicts in funding use or project implementation.
Determination of state school aid, information displayed on property tax statements, transfer of legacy fund earnings, and deposit of oil and gas tax revenues; and to provide an effective date.
Allocations to townships from the township highway aid fund and an allocation of motor vehicle excise tax collections to the township highway aid fund and the county highway aid fund; and to provide an effective date.
The flexible transportation fund, motor vehicle excise tax allocations, an appropriation for township roadway funding, and the appropriation of bond proceeds for transportation projects; to provide an exemption; to provide a report; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
Public employees retirement system retirement plan contribution rates upon reaching full funding and balance transfer when opting to participate in the defined contribution plan; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a transfer; to provide for application; and to provide an effective date.
The infrastructure revolving loan fund, the legacy and budget stabilization fund advisory board, and legacy fund definitions; and to declare an emergency.
Fuel production facility loan guarantee reserve funding, the housing incentive fund, the powers of the North Dakota pipeline authority, definitions for the clean sustainable energy authority, a clean sustainable energy authority line of credit, and an appropriation from the state fiscal recovery fund; to provide a contingent appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a study; to provide for a report; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
Legacy fund definitions, a legacy earnings fund, the legacy earnings highway distribution fund, and legacy earnings township highway aid fund; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for application; to provide an effective date; and to provide an exemption.
Oil and gas gross production tax allocations and the state share of oil and gas tax allocations; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an exemption; and to provide an effective date.