Bills Addressing Oil Impacted Cities and Counties - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Bills Addressing Oil Impacted Cities and Counties

There are two primary bills addressing the impacts oil activity has had on cities and counties in western North Dakota.

The Governor's proposal will be voted on soon in the Senate and has a do not pass recommendation.

That's because lawmakers in both chambers see the House version as the best option.

Rep. Bob Skarphol / (R) Tioga: "This has been like an earthquake in western ND with Williston as the epicenter and disruption moving outward from there."

For the lawmakers who live in oil country, legislation to keep more dollars at home is a top priority.

From the top down, it's been assured oil impacted areas will be better taken care of this session.

Rep. David Rust / (R) Tioga: "increase population and rapid growth, deal with the issues and can't wait until next time.

The House plan has some unique features, number one it increases the funding to cities, counties and townships in oil country and changes the formula used to get money to those areas.

It also sends dollars to "Hub" cities based on the percentage of oil related jobs.

Skarphol "It will give them a reliable revenue stream that will allow them to do the level of bonding need. Williston bonds rated above junk, and have limited capabilities to meet the $715 million in obligations they have to improve their community."

These funds will go towards roads but also hospitals, ambulance and fire crews.

Skarphol says small towns like Tioga had to get a ladder truck to respond to multi-level apartment buildings.

Skarphol: "something never imagined would need. Need building, significant costs to be prepared to deal with emergencies have to deal with."

Rep. Vickie Steiner / (R) Dickinson: "It's absolutely what they need, and built in that other parts of the state also have needs. but western ND absolutely needs this influx right now to take care of the infrastructure."

Rep. David Rust / (R) Tioga: "This will more than double amount coming back, that's a good start and a real need."

The House bill also includes funding for area's not surrounded by oil development.

The two primary bills dealing with oil impacts will be voted on next week.

Only the House version is expected to move on.