Proposed North Dakota Heritage Fund - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Today a bill is introduced to create a North Dakota Heritage Fund.

Last year a proposed measure that would've brought a conservation fund to voters didn't make it on the ballot.

Since then, a group including those who supported and opposed the measure met to come up with a possible legislative solution.

Today that solution is introduced.

Both Governor Dalrymple and Lieutenant Governor Drew Wrigley strongly support the bill.

Wrigley says our quality of life must not be compromised because of an expanding economy.

"If the legislature enacts House Bill 1278 grants are going to be awarded to state agencies, tribal governments, political subdivisions across the state, non profit organizations, and every one of those grants will go to benefit state wide conservation, wildlife habitat, parks and outdoor recreation across North Dakota," Drew Wrigley said.

Proposed funding for the bill is $30 million per biennium, which would be provided by the oil production tax.

The bill is House Bill 1278.