Supporters of a major expansion of the state Heritage Center came to the Legislature this year seeking $30 million for the project. On Wednesday, the North Dakota House dangled $1.5 million to help pay for building plans.

"We have to start, or it will never be the time to do it," said Rep. Eliot Glassheim, D-Grand Forks. "We have to put some money into this to indicate the state has interest in this expansion some time."

Lawmakers who opposed spending the $1.5 million predicted that backers of the expansion would follow up in two years with "a full-court press" for the Legislature to commit the full $30 million.

"People don't do plans just to see if they look pretty. They do plans to build buildings," said Rep. Al Carlson, R-Fargo, who said the project's architectural fees were estimated at $4.5 million.

"When you vote for this, we are basically, in my opinion, giving a rubber stamp that's saying, 'go ahead and design it, and next time we'll figure out how to get the money,'" Carlson said.

The proposed expansion would almost double the size of the Heritage Center, which is a state museum on the Capitol grounds.

Supporters of the project say it will cost $54 million, and say it could be financed by $30 million in state funds, $12 million in federal grants and $12 million in private fundraising.

It would add space for a cafe, a small theater, an outdoor patio and sculpture gardens, as well as new galleries and display space.

North Dakota's five living former governors - Ed Schafer, George Sinner, Allen Olson, Arthur Link and William Guy - are serving as honorary chairmen for the private fundraising effort.

Representatives voted 56-34 on Wednesday to approve a bill that declares the Legislature's support for obtaining federal funds and private donations for the project during the next two years.

It sets aside $1.5 million from a state fund, called the Lands and Minerals Trust Fund, which is financed by earnings from the mineral rights of property repossessed by the Bank of North Dakota.

The money may be used for planning and design costs for the expansion, but only if matched by $1.5 million in private funds, the legislation says.

The measure now returns to the North Dakota Senate, where senators will decide whether to adopt the House changes or try to negotiate a new version of the bill.

Glassheim argued that a state money commitment to the project was needed for private fundraisers to have any chance at success.

"If we pass this bill, it will at least indicate the state has some interest in expanding in the future," Glassheim said. "That will mean, they can go to the feds and say, 'We've got a project' … and it means they can go to foundations, and say, 'The state has committed $1.5 million. Will you pony up?'"

The bill is SB2341.