The Overview

Construction on the planned Military Gallery addition to the North Dakota Heritage Center stalled in July 2026 after fundraising fell short of what the project needed. The gallery had been in the works for about a year, and its halt left an unfinished construction site on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck. ​

Sen. Dale Patten, (R-Watford City) described the stalled project as a "black eye" on the Capitol grounds, saying: "That black eye stays on the Capitol grounds until we do find a solution."

North Dakota's Senate Bill 2407 provides a state appropriation to the State Historical Society for the North Dakota military museum project and authorizes a line of credit. The bill released $15 million in matching grants already allocated to the project and provided a $20 million construction loan.

What the Law Does

The law amends section 55-01-02.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, which governs jurisdiction of the Heritage Center. It repeals subsection 3 of section 6 of chapter 17 of the 2025 Session Laws, which had required a donation pledge before the project could tap funding from the state's Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. That pledge requirement was the specific barrier that froze construction when private fundraising came up short. Removing it unlocks money the Legislature had already set aside but could not release.

The Legislature also lifted restrictions on that previously allocated $15 million. The law authorizes a line of credit and requires a report on the project. Together, the freed grant money and the new credit line give the State Historical Society the financing it needs to resume work on the gallery, which will honor North Dakota's military history.

By the Numbers

North Dakota has a total population of 783,926, covering all ages. The state's median household income is $73,959, and about one in 10 residents, or 10.3 percent, live below the poverty line. About one in eight North Dakotans, or 12.8 percent, live with a disability.

Legislative Status

Lead sponsor Sen. David Hogue (R-ND-38) introduced the bill Sept. 2. Cosponsors were Sen. Brad Bekkedahl (R-ND-1), Rep. Mike Lefor (R-ND-37) and Rep. Don Vigesaa (R-ND-29).

The Senate passed the bill Sept. 3 with 39 yes votes and eight no votes. The House passed it Sept. 4 with 71 yes votes and 22 no votes. Both chambers moved quickly, passing the bill on consecutive days during a special session. Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R) signed the bill Sept. 4.

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