Relating to offering school breakfast and lunch at no cost and the school meals fund; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
HB 1627 proposed appropriating $7 million to fund free school meals for eligible students during the 2026-27 school year. It would have provided meals at no cost to students in public or nonpublic schools whose household income is below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill aimed to cover meal expenses through grants to school districts, with funding effective July 1, 2026. The legislation failed to pass in January 2026, receiving 45 votes in favor and 48 against. This was a funding measure, not a procedural resolution, and would have directly affected low-income students and school districts.
HB 1144 amends North Dakota law to require public school students to use restrooms and facilities corresponding to their sex assigned at birth, directly affecting transgender students in public schools. The bill mandates schools to enforce this policy, with penalties for noncompliance including potential loss of state funding. It declares an emergency to expedite the law's implementation. The legislation replaces existing accommodations for transgender students with a policy based on biological sex. This change alters school restroom access policies for transgender youth without providing alternative accommodations.
Relating to an education savings account program for students who are not enrolled in public school or a homeschool program; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.
Senate Bill 2241 proposes creating a new chapter in the North Dakota Century Code to authorize and administer public charter schools. This bill establishes the framework for how these new types of public schools can be formed and operated within the state, directly affecting students, parents, and educational institutions. It outlines the processes for their authorization and ongoing management. Additionally, the legislation requires a report from legislative management concerning these new provisions.
Relating to the creation of a criminal offense for the misuse of education savings account funds and the establishment of the education savings account program; to amend and reenact section 15.1‑20‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to exceptions to compulsory school attendance; to provide a penalty; to provide an appropriation; and to provide a continuing appropriation.
SB 2286 proposes authorizing the University of North Dakota (UND) to borrow up to $55 million through a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota during 2025-2027, with interest capped at rates for state entities. It also appropriates $95 million in one-time funding for UND to construct a new health sciences facility at its School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The facility aims to expand health workforce capacity in areas like behavioral health and wellness, while supporting research and academic programs. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on April 8, 2025, with 6 votes in favor and 87 against.
HB 1602 changes North Dakota's public employee retirement system by closing the traditional defined benefit plan to new hires starting January 1, 2025. Instead, new permanent employees (excluding those in specific exception roles like teachers, law enforcement, or university staff) must join a defined contribution retirement plan. Existing members who joined before 2025 remain in the defined benefit plan, and political subdivisions (like cities or counties) may choose whether to participate in the new defined contribution plan. The bill clarifies that local governments are not required to offer either retirement plan, and no fees apply if they withdraw from the defined contribution system.
SB 2341 would adopt the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists into North Dakota law, creating a new chapter in the state code. This compact allows school psychologists licensed in one participating state to practice in North Dakota without undergoing full re-licensure. The bill directly affects school psychologists moving between compact states and North Dakota's education licensing system. By joining the compact, North Dakota would align its licensure procedures with other participating states to streamline cross-state practice for school psychologists.
HB 1381 revises North Dakota's school funding formula to determine state aid for public school districts. It establishes a baseline funding amount using 2017-18 revenue data (including property taxes, tuition, mineral revenue, and other specific income sources) and calculates per-student funding based on this baseline. Starting in the 2023-24 school year, the bill requires a 40% reduction in excess funding for districts exceeding the baseline, with annual reduction increases of 15% until the baseline per student matches the state's fixed payment rate. This affects all North Dakota public school districts by changing how their state aid is calculated and potentially reducing funding for those with higher historical revenue.
