HB 1221 proposes allocating $24 million from North Dakota's general fund to the state board of higher education for workforce education innovation funds, to be distributed to eligible institutions during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill provides direct funding for programs aimed at enhancing workforce training and education initiatives, primarily affecting community colleges and vocational schools eligible to receive these grants. It does not create new programs but establishes a funding mechanism for existing or planned workforce development efforts. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 11, 2025, with no support (0 yeas, 91 nays).
HB 1531 appropriates $75,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the Agriculture Commissioner for a study on expanding irrigation infrastructure. The study will examine economic benefits of increased irrigation in rural communities, impacts of past water projects under the Pick-Sloan Act, and differences in economic value between irrigated vs. non-irrigated land. It requires a consultant to analyze these factors and submit findings with policy recommendations to legislative leaders by July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects agricultural producers and rural communities by assessing how irrigation expansion could impact local economies.
HB 1603 appropriates $500,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the state historical society for compliance with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The funds establish a committee with tribal historic preservation officers, state agencies, and the attorney general's office to prioritize returning human remains, sacred objects, and culturally significant items to North Dakota tribes. Tribes must contribute up to $100,000 in matching funds for committee efforts, and all funds must be tracked separately. The bill explicitly prohibits using these funds for new scientific studies of ancestral remains. This law directly affects North Dakota tribes and the state historical society by enabling repatriation efforts under federal law.
SB 2138 allocates $250,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for grants to organizations providing care for elderly residents in rural areas. The funding is designated for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these providers directly. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, and specifically targets rural care organizations. The bill was signed into law on April 7, 2025.
HB 1268 would require human service zones in North Dakota to mandate drug testing for parents whose drug use contributed to a child's out-of-home placement (e.g., foster care). Parents would need to pass a test before resuming unsupervised visits with their child, with additional testing allowed for safety planning. The bill excludes marijuana from this requirement and allocates $100,000 from the general fund for testing costs during the 2025-2027 biennium. This bill failed to pass in the legislature (6-39 vote) and remains a proposed measure, not current law.
HB 1102 appropriates $775,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation for cybercrime resources. The funding will hire two full-time cybercrime agents and cover related equipment costs for the 2025-2027 biennium, with $161,000 designated for one-time equipment purchases. This bill directly affects police departments in northeastern North Dakota cities with at least 50,000 residents, requiring the new agents to assist those departments specifically with cybercrime prevention and detection. The measure is purely a funding allocation, not a policy change, focused on staffing and resources for a defined geographic area.
HB 1106 allocates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund to the Department of Transportation for grants supporting nonfixed route public transit services. These grants directly assist public transportation providers (such as rural or on-demand transit systems) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill creates a dedicated funding stream for nonfixed route transit programs without altering existing service requirements or eligibility rules.
SB 2013 provides $9.87 million in funding for the North Dakota commissioner of university and school lands to cover salaries, operations, and contingencies during the 2025-2027 biennium. It also allocates $617.3 million from permanent funds to distribute to specific state institutions, including North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, schools for the deaf and blind, correctional facilities, and state colleges. The bill specifies exact amounts for each recipient, such as $584.7 million for common schools and $8.8 million for North Dakota State University. This is a procedural budget bill focused solely on funding allocations, with no new policy changes.
HB 1171 creates a scholarship program for dependents of North Dakota law enforcement family members, directly affecting eligible students whose parents or guardians are full-time law enforcement officers (including correctional officers, firefighters, EMS providers, or peace officers) with at least three years of service. The program covers 50% of tuition costs (minus other aid) at state higher education institutions, administered by the State Board of Higher Education. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to fund these scholarships. The bill defines eligibility through tax dependency exemptions and enrollment at state-controlled colleges or universities.
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.
