The Senate has approved a bill to borrow another $11 million from the Bank of North Dakota for costs associated with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest.
It brings to $25 million the amount borrowed from the Bank for that purpose.
"We know that within the next month or so, tehre will be another $10 million to $15 million of cost," Sen. Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) said on the Senate floor. "Then there will be the question of clean-up costs, which will come forth."
Holmberg said the state Constitution makes the point for this borrowing authority.
"Article One tells us government is instituted for the protection, security and benefits of the people," Holmberg said. "This bill (SB 2174) is part of an effort to pay for that."
The vote was 43 to 2. It will now move to the House.