North Dakota funds state technology and orders a software study

The law provides $200,508,732 from all funds for the Information Technology Department. The appropriation supports department operations and technology programs. It includes $48,041,136 from the general fund. The department may ask the Office of Management and Budget to move money from most budget lines for technology projects; it may not spend directly from the new and vacant jobs pool. The $3,512,670 in one-time funding is for a data center move and automating technology services, including software licenses. The budget covers July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. The department must report how it used the one-time funding to the 2027 legislative assembly.

The Legislative Management must study the state's business software system and consider whether to study fees and funding for emergency communications and the statewide radio network. The business software study covers state agencies and institutions of higher education. The optional study covers fees for technology services, including emergency communications and the statewide radio network. The required business software study must consider current and possible systems, costs, and the needs of state agencies and public colleges. The emergency communications study is optional: lawmakers must consider doing it. If they do, it must cover 911 and 988 fees, radio network funding needs, and funding options that would not harm existing emergency communication systems. The studies take place during the 2025–26 interim. The Legislative Management must report findings and recommendations to the 2027 legislative assembly.

The department may use specified unspent appropriations in the next budget period. The listed amounts total $290,106,876, including federal, state, and general fund money. The permission applies only to listed earlier appropriations for broadband, technology projects, cybersecurity, and the statewide radio network. The carryover period runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.

The department and Public Instruction must give quarterly updates on the student information system transition. The updates go to the budget section of the Legislative Management and cover the student information system transition. Updates are due quarterly during the 2025–26 interim.