Relating to the statewide property tax levy of one mill for support of the state medical center at the University of North Dakota; and to provide an effective date.
SB 2185 appropriates $1 million from North Dakota's general fund for a one-time grant to replace outdated sewer and water infrastructure at Lake Metigoshe State Park and surrounding areas. The funds would be provided to a local water resource district to modernize the aging systems serving the park and adjacent communities. This grant is intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and focuses specifically on infrastructure upgrades, not policy changes. The bill directly affects park operations and nearby residents reliant on the shared sewer system.
SB 2192 would provide $240,000 in state funds to reimburse community health and social service providers for costs associated with meeting state accreditation requirements. It directly affects community-based organizations that need accreditation to operate, such as clinics, shelters, or support programs. The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute grants covering these accreditation expenses for the 2025-2027 biennium. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to accreditation standards themselves.
SB 2301 would adjust North Dakota's homestead tax credit for qualifying seniors and permanently disabled residents. It changes income eligibility thresholds to 325% of federal poverty guidelines (up from $40,000) and increases the maximum credit from $9,000 to $13,500 based on household size. The bill also clarifies that the credit continues if a recipient resides in a care facility (like a nursing home) without renting their homestead. This would directly affect older adults and disabled residents meeting income limits, providing relief on property taxes for their primary homes. The proposed changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
SB 2331 establishes a working group to manage wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, directly affecting park operations, local tourism, and conservation efforts. The group must maintain the wild horse population above 200 through nonlethal methods (like birth control or relocation), promote horse-related tourism, and submit annual reports to lawmakers. It requires a $50,000 state appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these activities. The bill mandates quarterly meetings and collaboration with the National Park Service, focusing on concrete management and tourism strategies without specifying outcomes.
SB 2194 requires North Dakota's Bureau of Criminal Investigation to accept digital fingerprints for background checks and deliver results within four business days to requesting agencies (like employers or licensing boards). It appropriates $5 million to cover equipment and costs for this system during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill applies to background check requests received after its effective date of February 1, 2026. This changes how criminal history checks are processed by making digital submissions and faster turnaround mandatory for state agencies conducting these checks.
SB 2320 would exempt carbon dioxide pipelines (and associated equipment) from property taxes during construction and for the first ten years after operation. It applies to pipelines built after 1996 used for transporting carbon dioxide for geologic storage or oil/gas recovery, but excludes interstate pipelines entering North Dakota. The exemption covers the pipeline itself (not the land) and would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This bill directly affects companies building or operating CO2 pipelines within North Dakota for these specific purposes.
SB 2312 would create a property tax exemption in North Dakota for land owned by charitable organizations and used primarily for non-profit equine events, such as horse shows or competitions. This exemption would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly benefiting qualifying charitable groups that host these events. The bill adds a new provision to the state tax code specifying that such property is exempt from property taxation. It does not change existing tax rules for for-profit equine businesses or other property uses. The bill failed to pass in committee and was rejected during floor debate in February 2025.
