Latest news with #SB2376
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Forks casino proposal dies in House vote
Apr. 24—BISMARCK — A portion of a state Senate bill that included language to move forward a casino proposal in Grand Forks County failed in a Wednesday House vote, likely ending the plan for the conceivable future. Senate Bill 2018, an appropriations bill, included language that sought to allow the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa the ability to expand its casino operation beyond current tribal land. Existing state law mandates that the tribe cannot move outside of its traditional boundary. An earlier bill, SB 2376, specifically addressed the potential change but it failed in a 29-15 Senate vote in February. In March, the proposal was inserted into a Senate Bill 2018. At the time, state Rep. Emily O'Brien, R-Grand Forks, said she wanted it in SB 2018 because she considered it an "opportunity for the state to support local and tribal (economic development)." She said the state shouldn't stand in the way of what she considers local development decisions. The proposal was only to let the casino plan move forward, and was not the final say on whether it would be built. Various other approvals — and from various levels, ranging from city to federal — would have been needed prior to construction. On Wednesday, the House voted 66-26 against SB 2018's Division C, where the proposal was inserted. Prior to the vote, several members of the House debated the casino's merits, with O'Brien notably speaking in favor and others against. "For generations, tribal nations have fought for the right to self govern and build their own economies and to provide for the people with dignity and independence," she said. "Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribal casinos are not just entertainment venues, but engines of opportunity. They fund schools, health care clinics, housing, addiction treatment and public safety on reservations, where those needs are urgent and under-resourced. "This is not a handout." But some felt the casino would open the possibility of tribes branching outward en masse while potentially having an adverse effect on the state's charitable gaming industry. Grand Forks Republican Rep. Nels Christianson said "compromise" and "balance" with gambling already exist in North Dakota. He believes that allowing expansion of American Indian gaming outside of a tribe's borders would jeopardize that balance. "A casino in Grand Forks County upsets that great consensus. Let us not have any misconceptions about this: A casino in Grand Forks will mean, eventually, a big casino adjacent to each large city in our state," he said. "This means money leaving our community and each tribe will feel the need to upstage the next for the best location adjacent to another North Dakota community." He added: "The proposed casino in Grand Forks County represents a giant monster sucking the lifeblood and earnings out of our community. I stand against this monster and I seek to slay it." Rep. Matthew Heilman, R-Bismarck, wondered aloud if allowing the proposal to move forward would be detrimental to the existing charitable gaming industry. "I'm not really sure," he said, answering his own question. "But I don't want to find out. ..." O'Brien specifically addressed charitable gaming during her short speech on the House floor. She said she supports the industry; meanwhile, she said, North Dakota charitable gaming has grown in recent years. "As of Dec. 31, 2024, there are five tribal casinos in North Dakota, compared to 328 licensed gaming entities, which includes 846 sites and 5,250 e-tab machines," she said. "These machines are easily accessible at our local restaurants, bars and fraternal clubs. And in 2022 alone, charitable gaming generated more than $1.7 billion — that's a 560% increase in just five years." At the same time, she said, tribal casinos are confined to traditional areas and thus are being "boxed out" as other gambling grows. "They are held to a stricter set of rules, bound by federal oversight and denied the ability to expand or relocate under state law. This is not equity and it's not balance," O'Brien said. "Both (industries) deserve our support." During his testimony, Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, said he has received numerous emails from charitable organizations "that the sky is falling." "The more charitable gaming emails I get, the more I want to investigate these guys," he said. Rep. Lawrence Klemen, R-Bismarck, said the casino proposal reminds him of the failed Fufeng proposal. Announced in 2021and abandoned in 2023, the plan called for the China-backed company to build a corn mill on the edge of the city. It was abandoned when the Air Force declared the project a potential threat to national security. "Well, I think I've heard enough from the city of Grand Forks on this subject. I don't think we should be approving what they do in the name of economic development," he said. Later in the session, O'Brien rose to address "hurtful" comments. "Our discussion should focus on the merits of the issue at hand and not on questioning each other's motives," she said, reminding members about decorum. "... While I would accept an apology, the damage has been done and I expect more from this chamber." According to a report filed Thursday by Forum Communications columnist Rob Port , Klemen did email an apology to O'Brien and Rep. Jayme Davis, R-Rolette, who is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UND med school funding, plus a look at other Grand Forks-related bills
Mar. 15—GRAND FORKS — After state lawmakers pulled millions of dollars of potential funding from a bill circulating in the Legislature, a doctor from southwest North Dakota is suggesting they amend the bill and reinsert the money. Dr. Joshua Ranum, a graduate of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences who practices internal medicine in Hettinger, gave testimony on Senate Bill 2286 during a March 11 meeting of the House Education Committee. Ranum also is a past president of the North Dakota Medical Association and serves on the medical school's advisory council. During a recent committee hearing, he was among several speakers who spoke in favor of SB 2286, which started off as a proposal that would have provided $55 million to UND for building out the medical school's facilities. Introduced Jan. 20, SB 2286 originally sought to cover more than half of the cost of a 95,000-square-foot addition to the School of Medicine and Health Services. However, it later was amended and the funding portion was removed. Instead, SB 2286 now only seeks to have legislative management "consider studying the funding necessary to provide education and internships statewide for all programs at an expanded University of North Dakota health professions collaborative facility." Ranum, during the March 11 hearing, commented on the changed wording — from funding to a study. "As we all know, the longer a proposed adjustment to or delay in construction is more cost ... " Ranum said. "The advisory council has been studying this and looking at this and talking about this for the better part of two years." He added: "I think it is a very prudent idea to reinstate the funding for the building." Marjorie Jenkins, who recently took over as the medical school dean, also spoke, noting how she learned soon after arriving at UND that "we have to vacate Columbia Hall" over the next 15 months. Deferred maintenance on Columbia Hall and the UND Nursing Building have a combined price tag of approximately $60 million, she noted. A new health professions building would cost approximately $95 million, she said, of which UND could cover $40 million. The other $55 million would conceivably come from the state. "We are still hopeful we can get (the state) funding," she said. "First the health professions building was a want. Now, it's a need." The committee only heard testimony on March 11 and did not immediately make a recommendation on the bill, which awaits a full vote in the House. Following are other bills still alive in the Legislature that have Grand Forks or immediate regional implications: SB 2376: A bill to allow the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to operate in Grand Forks. Although SB 2376 failed 29-15 in a Senate vote on Feb. 14, it might get a second chance, the Herald reported on March 12. Sen. Scott Meyer, R-Grand Forks, said there are discussions happening at the Capitol about ways to bring the proposal back in another form this session, although details remain limited. He expects to know more in the coming days. The initial proposal sought to add language into state law to allow the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to operate its gambling facilities outside of Rolette County — and specifically in Grand Forks County. Without state approval (and from federal entities later on), the tribe is not allowed to cross its own borders with gambling operations. The $300 million resort and casino could bring as many as 400,000 non-local guests to Grand Forks annually, a recent study concluded. It would have gross revenues of approximately $80 million in its first year. HB 1524: A bill to fund and define rural councils. HB 1524 passed the House 60-27 on Feb. 20 and was referred to the Senate Industry and Business Committee. It seeks to provide $2.4 million — amended from $8 million — to the North Dakota Department of Commerce to fund regional planning councils for the July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, biennium, according to past Herald coverage. Half of the funding would be allocated equally to the eight regional councils, with the remaining 50% awarded based on a "funding formula established jointly by the Department of Commerce and the association of regional councils," the bill says. SB 2390: A bill to create and fund a rural catalyst committee and grant program. SB 2390 passed the Senate 39-8. It then was heard by the Senate Political Subdivisions Committee on March 13. If passed, the bill would create a rural catalyst committee as well as a grant program and fund to support North Dakota towns of 8,500 or fewer. The proposed $5 million — amended from $30 million — grant program would fund projects that will "address a critical need in the areas of art and culture, community and economic development, education or health and wellness" for rural communities, according to past Herald coverage. Recipients would have to match $1 for every $2 awarded. The bill comes with a stipulation that the Department of Commerce would submit a report to Legislative Management regarding the program's results, the number of requested projects and information on projects that receive funds, as well as how many matching funds were raised and how the project affected the community. An amendment added a stipulation to the bill that 50% of the fund not used for travel, per diem, and related expenses must be specifically distributed to communities with a population of less than 1,000. SB 2398: A bill to create a military compatibility commission. SB 2398 passed the Senate 47-0 on Feb. 19 and was most recently heard by the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee on March 6. The committee has not yet given its recommendation, and it awaits its final fate before the full House. SB 2398 would establish a military compatibility commission and so-called "military impact zones," which would extend from bases and installations that already exist within the state, including Grand Forks Air Force Base. The goal of the bill, according to its prime sponsor, is to get various stakeholders "seated around a table to say 'this is what has to be done in order for you to operate here," according to past Herald coverage. Gone from the version of the bill passed by the House is the original verbiage to include a stipulation that the zones extend a predetermined distance from each installation. For GFAFB, for instance, the original distance was 25 miles in each direction, which prompted early concern from the Grand Forks City Council that it could hinder future development in and around the city. HB 1332: A bill to establish incentives to bring big agribusiness to North Dakota. HB 1332 passed the House 82-8 on Feb. 25 and was heard in the Senate Ag and Veterans Affairs Committee on March 7. It will next be heard before the full Senate. The bill has been designed and discussed with a proposed $450 million Agristo potato processing facility in Grand Forks in mind, past Herald coverage says. The proposal would allow Agristo to apply for an up to $30 million grant funded by the Bank of North Dakota through the state agriculture commissioner that would be paid in two parts. The appropriation measure would only be valid for the upcoming biennium that ends in June 2029. But it's not just about the Grand Forks project; if approved, future potential projects throughout the state could benefit from its funding. HB 1600: A bill to establish an immigration law clinic at UND. HB 1600 passed the House 67-25 and was referred to the Senate Education Committee. Its hearing will be Tuesday, March 18. If passed, HB 1600 would allocate some $400,000 over the next biennium to a clinic employing one full-time attorney offering low-cost immigration legal services, according to past Herald coverage. Supporters of the legislation have said it would increase access to much-needed legal services for migrant workers and their employers, and would offer law students a chance to gain experience in a niche and in-demand practice. Opponents raised concerns about the lack of precedent for establishing a legal clinic via legislation, and whether the clinic would serve migrants whose legal status fell into a "gray area." SB 2254: A bill to adjust the state public transportation funding formula. SB 2254 passed the Senate 43-4 on Feb 21 and was most recently heard by the House Appropriations Committee on March 11. Past Herald coverage has noted that SB 2254 is a proposal to increase what the state gives to the four biggest metropolitan areas for public transit services, which transit directors across the state have called a necessity as costs climb. In its current form, Senate Bill 2254 would provide $2 million in grant opportunities for the cities of Grand Forks, Minot, Fargo and Bismarck for their public transit services over the course of the next biennium. The bill would also require the state to conduct a study to investigate the best ways for North Dakota to fund public transit services. The original proposal had $15 million in funding, which legislators later amended to $5 million and finally $2 million. HB 1612: A bill to establish a North Dakota center for aerospace medicine for mental health support. In the wake of a student pilot intentionally crashing a plane in 2021, lawmakers are considering creating a first-of-its-kind mental health program for pilots at UND's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. The goal is to provide mental health resources for flight students and aviation professionals. State funding could be as high as $500,000. It passed the House on Feb. 21 via an 82-7 vote and has been referred to the Senate Human Services Committee. SB 2003: Higher education funding (and funding for a new STEM building at UND). In another UND-related item, the university is hoping for $55.6 million for a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (commonly known as STEM) building. It's a bullet item found deep within SB 2003, the higher-education funding bill. SB 2003 passed the Senate 44-2 on Feb. 25 and is in the midst of a number of committee hearings on the House side.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meyer: Grand Forks casino proposal could emerge again this session in another form
Mar. 12—BISMARCK — A proposal that could eventually lead to a new casino and resort in Grand Forks was voted down in the state Senate last month, but it could be resurrected in another form, according to a sponsoring lawmaker. Sen. Scott Meyer told the Grand Forks Herald that discussions are happening and ideas are being considered but said more details are not yet available on its next iteration, if it does indeed reemerge during the current session of the Legislature. "Conversations are being held with leaders in both chambers to bring it back," said Meyer, R-Grand Forks. "We just haven't yet decided (how)." Senate Bill 2376 sought to add language into state law regarding the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa's current gambling abilities. At present, the law declares the band may only operate "on land within Rolette County held in trust for the band by the United States government which was in trust as of the effective date of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988." SB 2376 sought to add "and on land within Grand Forks County" to the language. The bill was defeated in mid-February on a 29-15 Senate vote. SB 2376 would not have necessarily meant the casino would be built in Grand Forks, but simply would have cleared one of a number of hurdles before the casino could become reality. On Jan. 27, the Grand Forks City Council decided, in a 4-3 vote, to enter a non-binding letter of intent with the Turtle Mountain Band; the next step then would have been to amend state law to allow the tribe to operate a gaming site outside of its traditional boundaries. More approvals — from the U.S. Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs — would have been necessary after that. The proposal calls for an approximately $300 million casino to be built on tribe-owned land just west of Interstate 29 and just south of the current city limits. Early projections show it could draw as many as 400,000 non-local guests per year and generate gross gaming revenue of nearly $80 million in its first year. Although the casino itself would not be taxed in a traditional sense — since it would technically be operating on tribal trust land — the city and tribe have discussed annual payments to local taxing entities in lieu of typical taxes. The tribe, meanwhile, has said it seeks no funding from the city. Opponents have voiced concern about its impact on legal charitable gaming and also that it could spur other casino projects elsewhere. And just before the Senate vote on Feb. 14, Sen. Diane Larson, R-Bismarck, wondered aloud — during a speech on the Senate floor — if the tribe might be financially backed by "cartels." Although she later was apologetic and said it was a "reckless statement," Turtle Mountain Chairman Jamie Azure called the comment "a slap in the face."
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Forks casino bill defeated in North Dakota Senate after 'cartels' comment by Sen. Diane Larson
Feb. 14—BISMARCK — A bill that would allow the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to expand beyond its traditional boundaries and perhaps one day open a $300 million resort and casino in Grand Forks was defeated in a state Senate vote on Friday afternoon. The vote came after Sen. Diane Larson, R-Bismarck, openly wondered if the tribe is financially backed by "cartels" and also after she made questionable statements about the tribe's land acquisition and other background items. Senate Bill 2376 sought to add language into state law regarding Turtle Mountain's current gambling abilities. At present, the law declares the band may only operate "on land within Rolette County held in trust for the band by the United States government which was in trust as of the effective date of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988." SB 2376 sought to add "and on land within Grand Forks County" to the language. It was defeated 29-15, likely killing — at least for now — the tribe's plans to build on land it already has purchased west of Interstate 29, just along Grand Forks' southern city limits. The tribe's goal was to construct a "high-end resort" at a cost of $280 million to $300 million . It would have employed some 800, according to data compiled by a 2022 feasibility study. Further, the study predicted the casino would have had upwards of 400,000 out-of-area visitors each year and gross gaming revenue of approximately $80 million in its first year of operation. Proponents — including Sen. Scott Meyer, R-Grand Forks — have stressed in recent weeks that the tribe sought no funding help from the city or county of Grand Forks and, since tribal gaming isn't eligible to be taxed in typical ways, that the tribe would make payments to local taxing entities in lieu of traditional taxes. Opponents have voiced concerns about its impact to charitable gaming — although the tribe expressed interest in keeping those organizations whole — and possible increases in gambling addiction. Sen. Richard Marcellais, D-Belcourt, represents the district that includes the Turtle Mountain Band's headquarters. He told senators Friday that "the tribe is not asking for funding. "I repeat, they are not asking for funding — just a tribal gaming compact that permits this gaming project to continue," he said. Had 2376 passed, it would have been just one of many steps needed — including federal approval — before construction could begin. On the Senate floor, Meyer spoke at length about its merits prior to Friday afternoon's vote. After it was defeated, he expressed disappointment about comments made by Larson. "(A casino) sounds like such a fun idea for a community," Larson said, apparently with sarcasm, just prior to the vote. "Maybe every major city in North Dakota should partner with a tribe and give land and we can have casinos all over our state. But when North Dakota decided to legalize gambling, it was for the purpose of charitable gaming, not for economic development. The charitable gaming was very limited in what could be used. ... This, in my opinion, and in opinion of the majority of our committee, is a very wrong way for us to go in North Dakota to add to the problems that come with major casinos that are off the reservation land and contained within that sovereign land. "And as an aside, I did ask one of the proponents where the tribe is going to get the money to build all of this. I never did get an answer for where the money is coming from," she said, referring to a committee hearing earlier this month. "Cartels, or what? I don't know where it's coming from." Larson's suggestion that cities should "give land" to tribes for casinos is contrary to the background of the Grand Forks proposal. The Turtle Mountain Band purchased 146 acres near Grand Forks for its use. The comment about "cartels" quickly drew criticism from others in the chamber, including Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo. "I was incredibly offended by a statement made from one of the previous speakers," Roers said. "It felt very derogatory and I think that our chamber is better than that." She acknowledged Larson's concern about a casino's potential impact on legal charitable gaming, but claimed gambling in the name of charity has risen "almost 600%," apparently countering Larson's earlier statement before the full Senate that charitable gaming is "very limited." Another concern that should be addressed, Roers said, is visitor attraction. "How do we find people to come (to North Dakota) from the outside?" she asked. Meyer was disheartened by Larson's comments. "I was disappointed by the language of the chair of the Judiciary Committee claiming the tribe is associated with cartels in order to defeat this project," Meyer told the Grand Forks Herald after the vote. "It's hard to argue with people using incorrect data, hypotheticals and hearsay." During a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 5, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Chairman Jamie Azure was asked by a committee member how the tribe would raise the money for the $300 million project. Larson, who said Friday that she didn't get an answer, is on the committee's chairwoman. But during the Feb. 5 hearing, Azure responded to the question. The hearing was covered by the Herald; the story's headline was " Cash for proposed Grand Forks casino would come from tribal funds, 'private bank financing,' Azure says ." "With the casinos that we have in place now, there is a percentage that automatically goes back to the tribe from each casino ... (that goes) into an economic development fund. So we would utilize a lot of our economic development funds," Azure said during the Feb. 5 hearing, in response to the question. "In the last 10 years, Turtle Mountain has really turned the corner on economic development with other strategies that we have implemented. If there was a credit score for a tribe, we are doing very well right now." The funds to build the proposed casino thus would come from "private bank financing and self-financing — that would be a large majority of how we would move forward," he said. Shortly after Larson's suggestion about cartels, Sen. Ryan Braunberger, D-Fargo, rose to make a clarifying statement. "One of the things to correct from the previous speaker, regarding 'where is the money coming from?', is private banks," said Braunberger, who also is a member of the Judiciary Committee. "There was no mention of cartels. Second, the tribe has purchased the land at Grand Forks. It wasn't given to them. And they have already invested money into this." Larson later stood and apologized for the comment about cartels. The bill got "yes" votes from Grand Forks senators Jeff Barta, Claire Cory and Meyer. Jonathan Sickler was absent. Meyer said it is conceivable that SB 2376 could get new life, but that it's unlikely.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spirit Lake Tribe comes out in opposition to Turtle Mountain plans for Grand Forks casino
Feb. 6—GRAND FORKS — The Spirit Lake Tribe has come out in opposition to legislation that proposes allowing the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to have a casino in Grand Forks. "We felt like a very important piece was missing, and that was consultation with people we call our relatives," Tribal Chairwoman Lonna Street said. "It is my responsibility as chairwoman of the tribe to look out for my nation." The proposal, Senate Bill 2376, would amend North Dakota Century Code to allow Turtle Mountain to expand gaming operations from Rolette County, where Turtle Mountain tribal lands are, to Grand Forks County, where it claims historical ties and seeks to construct a $280 million to $300 million casino and resort. Both the city and county of Grand Forks have come out in support of Turtle Mountain's project. The bill was discussed in a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 5 and is making its way through the legislative process. In a release sent to the media Wednesday, Spirit Lake representatives said that they were caught off guard by the casino announcement and feel they should have been consulted. They said the lack of communication was likely the result of a "misjudgment rather than an intentional oversight." "The introduction of a new gaming facility in Grand Forks County threatens to divert critical revenue away from existing tribal casinos, including the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort, potentially jeopardizing the financial stability of tribal nations reliant on gaming for essential services," Street wrote in the release. The release said Spirit Lake deeply values the leadership and kinship that exists between the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain bands. The release sent to the media says "the opposition to SB 2376 is in no way a reflection of division or disrespect toward TMBCI but rather a response to a legislative process that did not adequately include all affected tribal nations." Additionally, in the view of Spirit Lake, the decision of the Legislature to take up this proposal also calls into question the state's past expansion of electronic pull tabs and charitable gaming, which Spirit Lake leaders believe have hurt tribal operations. "(Gaming) is a huge economic boost for the Spirit Lake Tribe; in fact, it's forefront for us," Street told the Herald. "It's one of our main economic boosters in our community which provides a lot of social funding for our community as well as program funding." The Spirit Lake Tribe is headquartered in Fort Totten, North Dakota, and its tribal lands are on the southern shore of Devils Lake, approximately 100 miles west of Grand Forks.
