25.3079.01000
Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senators Mathern, Hogue, Bekkedahl
Representatives Koppelman, Lefor
A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to consider studying using
dedicated funds in the capitol building fund to build a legislative office building.
WHEREAS, the capitol building fund was created at statehood through a grant of 50,000
acres of land to the state for the purpose of financing construction of public buildings for
legislative, executive, and judicial use and, in 1957, Congress expanded the purpose of the
fund to allow the fund to be used for construction, renovation, and other improvements of public
buildings at the capitol; and
WHEREAS, the 1967 Legislative Assembly considered the need to improve legislative
committee rooms and provide office space for committee chairmen, legislative study lounges,
and Legislative Council offices; and
WHEREAS, the 1967 Legislative Assembly adopted legislation directing the capitol building
fund be dedicated and reserved for the exclusive purpose of the construction of an addition to
the legislative wing; and
WHEREAS, since 1967, money in the capitol building fund has been used for a variety of
purposes including the payment of special assessments and the construction and maintenance
of the Governor's residence; and
WHEREAS, a significant portion of the land granted to the state and the assets of the fund
continue to contribute to the balance of the capitol building fund, which is in excess of
$5,000,000, despite appropriations from the fund for other purposes totaling nearly $13,000,000
over the last 3 bienniums; and
WHEREAS, many legislative meeting rooms are too small to accommodate the public, lack
secondary or emergency exits, and are not designed to function with today's technology; and
WHEREAS, the legislative parking lot frequently is in need of repair, and during legislative
sessions often is covered with snow and ice causing unsafe conditions; and
Page No. 1 25.3079.01000
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4024
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24 Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
WHEREAS, our capitol is one of the few in the country in which legislators have no
dedicated place to work or private space to meet with constituents; and
WHEREAS, long-term capitol facility plans have explored the option of building a parking
structure on the west side of the legislative wing rather than continuing to repair the legislative
parking lot; and
WHEREAS, construction of a parking structure also would present an opportunity to
include above the parking structure space for modern committee rooms, legislative offices and
meeting space, and office space for legislative staff; and
WHEREAS, construction of a legislative office building would allow executive branch
agencies that are leasing office space off the capitol grounds to move into the capitol, saving
money on leased space and providing greater access to the public; and
WHEREAS, as the capitol approaches its 100
th
anniversary, it is vital for the Legislative
Assembly to address the future needs of the legislative branch and provide future legislators
with the tools necessary to retain the Legislative Assembly's constitutional role as a coequal
branch of government;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF NORTH DAKOTA, THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:
That the Legislative Management consider studying using dedicated funds in the capitol
building fund to build a legislative office building; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Legislative Management report its finding and
recommendations, together with any legislation required to implement the recommendations to
the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.
Page No. 2 25.3079.01000
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