BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Local leaders were excited to hear that North Dakota HB 1066 known as the Prairie Dog bill has passed through both chambers of the ND legislature and has been signed into law by Governor Burgum.

The bill provides funding for infrastructure projects for eastern North Dakota cities and counties. The measure creates a new bucket for oil tax revenues and is permanent. The money won’t be available until 2023.

Valley City Administrator David Schelkoph said this money will help the city replace its aging water mains, some approaching one hundred years.

Schelkoph said depending on annual oil revenue, the city of Valley City could receive a maximum of $3.5 million per year depending on annual oil tax collections.

The bill passed in the North Dakota House 80 to 12 on March 20th and unanimously passed in the North Dakota Senate 46 to 0 earlier in the 2019 Legislative Session.