North Dakota House passes Department of Commerce budget after debate over amendments

After two days of heated debate, the North Dakota House passed the Department of Commerce budget last Thursday with a 61-31 vote. Lawmakers clashed over late additions, including funding for drones, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, and a $75 million development fund line of credit. Critics warned the bill risked violating the state’s single-subject rule, while supporters argued all provisions related to state commerce. The bill now heads to the Senate for further action and likely conference committee negotiations.Grant Coursey with Bismarck Tribune has the full story.