HB 1025 - BUDGET - Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) - 2019

Appropriations - ND Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) Budget: Legislative Appropriations Bill

Pre-approved by Commissioner and ACOVA.

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of veterans' affairs. 

2019-2021 base budget limit: $1,079,734

NDDVA Requested budget changes: Optional Package-NOT included in budget.

1. Remove mandate on offsetting HRTG funds                                            $100,000 NOT in final budget.
2. Funding for FTE                (Loan & Grant)                                                $151,794 Gov. Burgum Recommends $140,000 One-Time funding for Temporary Position. House Supports. Senate moved to FTE, 
3. ND Veteran Benefits Specialist training                                                    $18,310 House Denied, Senate Supports, Conf. Committee supported. Final: $18,310
4. Funding for FTE                (Veteran Benefit Specialist)                            $127,753 Denied
5. CVSO/TVSO outreach      (Tribal engagement)                                       $38,400 Gov. Burgum recommends $40,000 for Stand Downs, VSO training and outreach. See #6 and #8 below
6. CVSO/TVSO training        (Main Street Initiative)                                     $27,088 Gov. Burgum recommends (see #5). House supports $30,00 training and outreach. Senate supports $30,000. Final: $30,000
7. Grant Database update    (Per Audit recommendation)                           $15,000 Gov. Burgum recommends $7,500 from General funds. House supports $7,500. Senate supports $7,500. Final: $7,500
8. Stand Downs                    (Pass through funding. HB 1178)                    $10,000 Gov. Burgum recommends (see #5). House supports $5,000. Senate supports $5,000. Final: $5,000
9. PTSD Dog Grants             (Pass through funding. HB 1128)                   $50,000 Gov. Burgum recommends $50,000 from General Funds. House supports. Senate supports $50,000. Final: $50,000
10. DAV Vans                          (Pass through funding. HB 1168)                   $18,600 Gov. Burgum recommends $18,600 from General Funds. House supports +$200. Senate supports +$21,200. Final: $18,800
11. VSO funding grant NSO’s (Pass through funding. HB 1177)                  $150,000    Denied       

                                                                                                                    Total: $716,945

​HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Adds base level funding
  • +$11,775 for travel expenses
  • +$7,935 for desktop support
  • +$2,500 for Microsoft Office 365 licenses
  • +$5,000 for Stand Down events (HB 1178 was $10,000)
  • +$200 for DAV vans (+$200 more than Governors recommendation) 
  • +$49,590 for NDDVA salary and benefit increases
    • 2% per year 
    • Insurance from $1,241 to $1,427 
  • +$30,000 for CTVSO training and outreach (Governor recommended $65,488)
• One Time Funding
  • +$140,000 One-Time funding for Temporary Loan and Grant Position (same as Governors recommendation)
  • +$7,500 Grant Database enhancements
• Maintained in base level funding (Pass Through Funding)
  • $18,600 DAV vans
  • $50,000 PTSD Service Dogs
• Appropriates $2,308 additional funding for State Approving Agency (non-General Funds)
• Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 21-0-0 HJ 786
• PASSED HOUSE 92-0 HJ 902

SENATE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Supports House budget
• Adds:
  • +$11,794 for Loan and Grant Officer.
    • Makes Permanent FTE
  • +$18,300 for NDDVA Veteran Benefits Specialists Training
  • +$21,200 for DAV Transport Vans for total of $40,000.
    • Funding for 2 vans. One van per year
    • Makes Permanent part of budget
  • +$8,228 NDDVA Salary Increase to House for total of $36,773
    • 2% first year
      • Minimum monthly increase of $120
      • Maximum monthly increase of $200
    • 2.5% second year
  • Carryover authority for PTSD dog funding
  • Authority to accept and expend $291,500 for Veterans Home Cemetery Improvement Grant
    • Legislative approval for $26,500 from Melvin Norgard memorial fund 
    • $265,000 from Federal Grant
  • Committee recommended DO PASS 14-0-0 SJ 1331
• PASSED SENATE as amended 44-0 SJ 1340
• HOUSE REFUSED TO CONCUR HJ 1728
• House Conference Committee Appointed: Schobinger, B. Anderson, Holman  HJ 1728
• Senate Conference Committee Appointed: Dever, Poolman, Mathern SJ 1478

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Reduced DAV van funding from $40,000 to $18,800
• Loan and Grant officer
  • Reduced funding -$11,794
  • Removed as FTE and placed as Temporary One-Time Funding
• House conceded the remaining Senate Changes
• Conference Committee Report Adopted by House HJ 1987
• PASSED HOUSE 88-4 HJ 1988
• Conference Committee Report Adopted by Senate SJ 1766
• PASSED SENATE 46-0 SJ 1766

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/26/2019 HJ 2302

​