CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
[Authorized: S. L.1981, Ch. 554; S. L. 1983, Ch. 583; S. L.1987, Ch. 57]
In 1981 the legislature established the North Dakota Centennial Commission, set forth its powers and duties, provided for payment of commissioners’ expenses, and provided for termination of the Commission. The powers and duties of the Commission included planning, promoting, and designating parks, sites, and activities for the celebration of statehood. The Commission conducted and promoted studies, investigations, and research prior to developing centennial activities. The Governor appointed a North Dakota Centennial Commission consisting seven members and a chairman. In preparing for the celebration, the Commission submitted a planning report for the 1983 legislative session. (S. L.1981, Ch. 554). Funding for the Commission came from the Governor’s budget.
The 1983 legislature reestablished the Centennial Commission and authorized it to name an executive director and staff. The Governor continued to provide funding for the Commission (S. L. 1983, Ch 705). The Commission was allowed to accept donations, gifts, grants, bequests, and other outside income (S. L.1983, Ch. 583) and accept on behalf of the state any offer of a grant, devise, bequest, donation, gift, or assignment of money, or other property. Property coming into the possession of the Commission was deposited in the State Treasury in a special revolving fund and appropriated on a continuing basis to the Commission for carrying out its purposes. Membership appointed by the Governor expanded from seven to eleven with the Superintendent of the State Historical Society and the Director of North Dakota Tourist Promotion or their designees as ex officio members. The Governor appointed the chairman.
In 1985 the membership grew to fifteen, eleven appointed by the Governor, two Senators appointed by the President of the Senate, and two Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (S. L. 1985, Ch. 556). Use of the great seal was permitted for items commemorating the state centennial [NDCC 54-02-01]. Approval for use was given by the North Dakota Centennial Commission and the Secretary of State as established in the 1983 Session Laws, Chapter 583 (S. L. 1985, Ch. 555).
Also in 1985 the legislature allowed the Centennial Commission, with the agreement of the Motor Vehicle Registrar, to make available a commemorative centennial license plate. A portion of the fee was given to the Commission [NDCC 39-04-08 in 1985 supplement]. (S. L. 1985, Ch. 421).
A number of bills were introduced and passed in the 1987 legislature including the addition of new sections to several chapters of the Century Code relating to the authority of counties and cities to establish centennial coordinating committees (S. L. 1987, Ch. 150). This was effective through July 1, 1991.
North Dakota Century Code Chapter 11-11 allowed the Board of County Commissioners to establish a County Centennial Coordinating Committee and to appoint a board. The board or committee received and spent funds for the development, promotion, and implementation of special countywide projects [NDCC 11-11].
Additionally, the governing body of any city could establish a local centennial coordinating committee to develop and implement special communitywide projects for the centennial. The governing body of the city appointed members to the committee. The members of the committee served for the duration of the committee’s existence. The elected presiding officer of the governing body of a city appointed the members who served for the duration of the committee’s existence. The governing body of a city or local centennial coordinating committee received and expended funds for the development and promotion of the centennial projects [NDCC 40-50].
Also in 1987 the legislature appropriated money to the Commission for administering grants for centennial projects to be allocated and distributed among the counties (S. L. 1987, Ch. 30). The legislature provided appropriation for defraying the expenses of the Centennial Commission (S. L. 1987, Ch. 57) and the State Treasurer provided services to the Commission (S. L. 1987, Ch. 625).
In 1989 the legislature gave the Centennial Commission authority to establish a Centennial Decade Trees Committee and provide uses for the Centennial Tree Program Trust Fund. The legislature created and enacted a new section of the Century Code allowing for an optional contribution to the Centennial Tree Program Trust Fund available on the state income tax form [NDCC 57-38-34 in 1989 supplement]. The tax was effective for years beginning December 31, 1988 and ending December 31, 1998 (S. L. 1989, Ch. 27). The legislature also appropriated funds to the Commission for the biennium beginning July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1991 (S. L. 1989, Ch. 18).
In 1991 the Centennial Commission was authorized to transfer to the State Treasurer the special revolving fund to be used to commemorate and celebrate North Dakota’s bicentennial. In 2089 money in the Bicentennial Trust Fund would be transferred to the Governor. Money in the fund is intended for the commemoration and celebration of the state’s bicentennial (S. L. 1991, Ch. 579) [NDCC Section 54-11-01.1].
In 1993 a proposal offered by the Legislative Assembly requested that a new section be added to Article X of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to the creation of a Bicentennial Trust Fund. This amendment would create a Bicentennial Trust Fund and release the principal and interest on January 1, 2089. Any amounts held by the State Treasurer in trust for the North Dakota Bicentennial Commission would be transferred to the Bicentennial Trust Fund. The measure was defeated after it was placed on the November 3, 1992 general election ballot (S. L. 1993, Ch 661); House Concurrent resolution No. 3035; (S. L. 1991, Ch. 758).
CHRONOLOGY
1981 The legislature established the North Dakota Centennial Commission (S. L.1981, Ch. 554).
1983 The legislature reestablished the Commission and authorized it to name an executive director and staff. The Governor appointed the chairman and continued to provide funding for the commission (S. L. 1983, Ch.705).
1985 The legislature enlarged the membership to fifteen (S. L. 1985, Ch. 421), and allowed the use of the great seal on items commemorating the state centennial [NDCC 54-02-01] (S. L. 1985, Ch. 555). Commemorative centennial license plates were made available [NDCC 39-04-08 in 1985 supplement].
1987 Bills that passed during the session included the addition of several chapters to the Century Code that gave authority to counties and cities to establish centennial coordinating committees (S. L. 1987, Ch. 150) [NDCC 11-11] [NDCC 40-50]. The legislature appropriated money to the Commission to administer grants to counties for centennial projects (S. L. 1987, Ch. 30). The legislature provided appropriations to the Centennial Commission (S. L. 1987, Ch. 57) and the State Treasurer was authorized to assist the Commission (S. L. 1987, Ch. 625). Two additional bills were introduced one failed to pass the committee hearings (House Bill 1215) and the other was withdrawn by the sponsor (Senate Bill 2379).
1989 The legislature gave the Centennial Commission authority to establish a Centennial Decade Trees Committee and provide uses for the Centennial Tree Program Trust Fund. A special fund was established in the State Treasury known as the Centennial Tree Program Trust Fund (S. L. 1989, Ch. 27). The legislature also appropriated funds to the Commission for the biennium beginning July 1, 1989 to June 30, 1991 (S. L. 1989, Ch. 18). The Centennial logo was designed by Burdette B. Calkins. House Bill 1569 was introduced. It passed the House, but failed to pass in the Senate.
1991 The Centennial Commission was authorized to transfer money from its special revolving fund to the State Treasurer. The fund was to be used to commemorate and celebrate North Dakota’s bicentennial (S. L. 1991, Ch. 579) [NDCC Section 54-11-01.1].
1993 A proposal to add a new section to Article X of the Constitution of North Dakota and create a Bicentennial Trust Fund did not win the approval of the voters (S. L.1993, Ch. 661); House Concurrent resolution No. 3035; (S. L. 1991, Ch. 758).
SERIES
31317 North Dakota Centennial Planning Conference Tapes, 1985. Videocassettes
31689 Records
31756 Minutes
31833 Scrapbook
SOURCES
Brown, Patrick J. The People Celebrate: a report on North Dakota’s Centennial, 1990.
North Dakota Century Code.
North Dakota Secretary of State Blue Book.
North Dakota State Legislature Session Laws.
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