Bismarck (CSi) — The North Dakota state Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would appropriate $5 million from the general fund to be used to demolish five unused buildings on the North Dakota State Hospital campus and to declare it an emergency.

If Senate Bill 2026 is passed by both chambers it would authorize the demolition of the administrative building, employee building, associated tunnels, milk barn, pig barn and water treatment plant.

The funding provided is a one-time funding item, and the demolition would need to be done by June 30, 2025.

The demolition of the five buildings is necessary for the state to go head with architectural plans proposed to build a new State Hospital.