North Dakota Land Board Announces Record $762 Million in Trust Distributions for 2027-2029 Biennium
The North Dakota Board of University and School Lands announced on November 13 record distributions of nearly $762 million to trust beneficiaries for the 2027-2029 biennium. The Common Schools Trust Fund, which supports K-12 public education statewide, will distribute $722,451,420, up 23.5% from the current biennium's $585 million.
The Department of Trust Lands announced the distributions on behalf of the Land Board, which manages more than 700,000 surface acres, 2.6 million mineral acres and 13 permanent trusts. The governor's office said $2.4 billion in oil and gas royalties over the last five years from nearly 10,000 wells, together with agricultural rents, easements and a well-diversified $9.5 billion investment portfolio, drove the growth. The Common Schools Trust Fund was valued at $9.3 billion as of June 30, 2026, and makes up the vast majority of the portfolio.
Other major distributions include $10,602,000 to North Dakota State University, $8,380,000 to the University of North Dakota, $3,900,000 to the Youth Correctional Center, $3,018,000 to the State College of Science, $2,790,000 to the School for the Deaf, $2,344,000 to the School for the Blind and $2,252,000 to the State Hospital.
Governor Kelly Armstrong chairs the five-member Land Board, whose members also include State Superintendent of Public Instruction Levi Bachmeier, State Treasurer Thomas Beadle, Secretary of State Michael Howe and Attorney General Drew Wrigley. 'Responsible management of our state's mineral and land resources continues to produce meaningful benefits for North Dakota's greatest resource - our young people,' Armstrong said. Trust Lands Commissioner Joseph Heringer said the historic distributions reflect the board's commitment to responsible stewardship.
(Source: Office of the Governor of North Dakota)
Source: Office of the Governor of North Dakota
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Bismarck 的北达科他州议会大厦。公共领域。 / Photo: The North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck. Public domain.
