North Dakota Century Code Title 57. Taxation § 57-51.1-08. Intent

It is the intent of the electors of the state of North Dakota and the legislative assembly to fund public elementary and secondary education in North Dakota at the level of seventy percent of the educational cost per student, as determined under the provisions of chapter 15.1-27, to provide funds for the life skills and transition center, and to provide for water development and utilization and energy conservation and development programs by enactment of an excise tax to be known as the “oil extraction tax” and enactment of an income tax credit.

The legislative assembly has determined that many areas within the state of North Dakota do not have adequate water supplies for municipal, domestic, livestock, light industrial, and other uses. However, adequate water supplies are essential for the social and economic stability of municipalities and rural areas. It is, therefore, declared to be in the best interest of the people of the state of North Dakota to establish a resources trust fund to be used to construct, or assist in the construction of, multiple-use water supply facilities. The legislative assembly also recognizes that appropriate planning to meet current and long-range water needs for the benefit of all of the citizens of the state of North Dakota is a matter of concern and high priority. The legislative assembly further intends that revenues generated by use of any facilities constructed, in whole or in part, with financing from the resources trust fund shall be deposited in the resources trust fund.