BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota lawmakers have questions about North Dakota State University's spending on a private plane.

The university spends more than $500,000 a year to lease and operate the twin-engine Beechcraft King Air plane.

It's flown for fewer than 70 hours a year. That adds up to more than $7,600 an hour. When a private company rents out the same plane, it charges $1,500 an hour.

A legislative committee is looking into airplane use by state agencies.

Kenmare state Rep. Glen Froseth says NDSU might be better off if the school chartered private planes as needed.

Grand Forks Sen. Lonnie Laffen says NDSU and the University of North Dakota might want to share a plane. UND has a flight school and a fleet of planes.