NDSU still leasing plane scrutinized by lawmakers

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota State University is continuing to lease an airplane from the NDSU Development Foundation, a practice scrutinized by state lawmakers in 2011.

NDSU has leased the twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200 since July 2007 for quarterly payments of about $80,000, for a total cost that runs into the millions of dollars. State lawmakers have questioned the spending.

Rep. Jeff Delzer of Underwood tells The Forum that a bill this session that aims to establish a centralized system of state-owned planes overseen by the Transportation Department would not include the NDSU plane because lawmakers were told it was for sale.

NDSU spokeswoman Laura McDaniel says a prospective buyer backed out.

Delzer says lawmakers might look at new policies to end the practice if the plane isn't sold soon.

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