BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Some North Dakota lawmakers are wondering how the state got stuck with a million-dollar bill for buses that were ordered, rarely used and then sold.
The buses were purchased by the state Department of Transportation several years ago for athletic teams at several of the state's colleges. Sen. Ray Holmberg says the motor coaches were eventually sold, but it left the DOT nearly $1 million short.
Holmberg says the result has lawmakers asking about the department's process for approving requests.
The House agreed in its version of the higher education bill to repay DOT $700,000 for the buses, but the Senate said DOT should incur the costs.
A DOT spokeswoman says any agency that wants a vehicle must submit a request with justification as to why they need it.