The department of health and human services may make combined or joint purchases with or on behalf of local public health units for items or services. Payments received by the department of health and human services from local public health units pursuant to a combined or joint purchase must be deposited in the operating fund and are appropriated as a standing and continuing appropriation to the department of health and human services for the purpose of this section.
N.D.C.C. § 23-01-28