North DakotaNorth Dakota law directs grant review for early technology work
The Department of Commerce administers grants for early stage technology work, but awards and related expenses depend on legislative funding.
What it does
A committee reviews applications from entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses developing early stage technology products when they cannot access money for prototypes.
The Department of Commerce runs grants for technology research, development, and innovation. Awards depend on legislative funding, and recipients must repay them if they stop conducting activities in North Dakota.
After grant-funded work ends, the department independently reviews its results, which may include effects on technology products, investment, economic development, and the workforce.
Argument forEligible businesses could get support for early technology research and product development, with priority for areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Argument againstRecipients may have less flexibility if they stop working in North Dakota, since they must repay the grant when they no longer conduct their activities in the state.
More detail
A committee reviews and approves grant applications. The committee includes state technology officials and three private sector members appointed by the governor and legislative leaders. The commerce commissioner or a designee serves as a nonvoting member and recommends grant awards.
The Department of Commerce administers a grant program for eligible technology work. Grant applicants must meet the committee's eligibility guidelines. Recipients must use awards for technology research, development, or innovation. The committee sets eligibility guidelines and weighs research, economic development, and workforce benefits. It gives priority to artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, and similar work. Grant money cannot pay for buildings, administrative costs, or regular operations. Recipients must repay it if they no longer conduct their activities in North Dakota. Grant awards and administrative expenses depend on legislative appropriations.
The department conducts an independent review after grant-funded work is complete. The review covers work funded by an advanced technology grant. The review may consider product or process development, investment in the state, economic development, commercially viable patents or research, and workforce effects. The department conducts the review when the grant-funded work is complete.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Jun 11Filed with Secretary Of State 05/02Latest
- May 2Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong 05/01Became Law
- Apr 29Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 29Signed by Speaker
- Apr 29Signed by President
- Apr 29Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0Major
- Apr 29Conference committee report adopted
- Apr 28Reported back from conference committee, placed on calendar (Senate reject)Minor
- Apr 28Conference committee report adopted
- Apr 25Reported back from conference committee, placed on calendar (Senate reject)Minor
- Apr 21Conference committee appointed Barta Kessel Sorvaag
- Apr 18Conference committee appointed Warrey Nathe Ostlie
- Apr 18Refused to concur
- Apr 11Returned to House (12)
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1448. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 11Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 46 nays 0Passed Senate
- Apr 11Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Apr 10Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 16 0 0Minor
- Apr 4Rereferred to Appropriations
- Apr 4Amendment adopted
- Apr 3Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 0 0Minor
- Apr 1Committee Hearing 09:00
- Mar 7Introduced, first reading, referred Industry and Business CommitteeMinor
- Feb 26
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1448. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Received from House
- Feb 25Second reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 0Passed House
- Feb 25Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Feb 24Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 20 0 3Minor
- Jan 29Rereferred to Appropriations
- Jan 29Reported back, do pass 9 3 2Minor
- Jan 20Committee Hearing 10:30
- Jan 15Introduced, first reading, referred Industry, Business and Labor CommitteeIntroduced
TechnologyEconomy & Jobs