North Dakota water agency would receive funding and project financing

The Department of Water Resources would receive authority to spend up to $769,257,471 in other funds. The funding covers department salaries, operations, capital assets, water supply, regional water, flood control, general water, and related projects. The department may use the money only for the purposes and limits listed in the appropriation. The new and vacant FTE pool may not be spent directly; the department may request a transfer to salaries and wages under the stated rules. Additional federal and state funds may also be used for their intended purposes, with required reporting. The appropriation applies from the Act's effective date through June 30, 2027.

The state treasurer would transfer $40 million to a revolving loan fund, and the department could request up to $100 million in credit for local cost-share loans. The financing applies to water projects approved by the State Water Commission and to other water projects identified in the bill. The line of credit would carry the prevailing interest rate charged to North Dakota government entities. The department must request money to repay the credit through a deficiency appropriation if needed. The department may access up to $210 million for water projects under the amended statutory provision. These financing provisions apply from the Act's effective date through June 30, 2027, while the statutory water-project access period is the biennium covered by the amended provision.

Federal money for the Northwest Area Water Supply biota treatment plant would be deposited into a special fund and remain available for plant operations. The fund covers federal money received to operate that treatment plant, while separate studies cover Missouri River intake sites, regional water systems, and water-project cost sharing. All money in the biota plant fund is limited to plant operations. The Department of Water Resources and State Water Commission must report study findings and recommendations to legislative officials. The State Water Commission may bypass specified procurement rules for the studies and must follow the bill's limits on consultants. The studies take place during the 2025-26 interim, with some draft reports due March 31, 2026; the plant fund operates on a continuing basis.