Relating to the determination of state aid, boarding care costs, the coal development trust fund, the school construction assistance revolving loan fund, public improvement construction, bonds from contractors for public improvements, and school district levies; and to provide an effective date.
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.
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 2234 appropriates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund for competitive grants to school districts to help high school students meet the state's "choice ready" framework. The bill requires school districts to apply with specific plans showing how grant funds will develop students' skills for postsecondary education, careers, or military service - directly affecting school districts and their high school students. Funds cannot cover general supplies or equipment but must support targeted experiences like career training or college preparation. The grants are intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and align with the state's goal of ensuring all students graduate prepared for life after high school.
HB 1527 would require all North Dakota public school districts to include Holocaust education in their U.S. history curriculum. The bill mandates that this education cover specific topics like the causes of the Holocaust, history of antisemitism, resistance efforts, U.S. involvement, and connections between intolerance and historical events. School districts must implement grade-appropriate lessons meeting these requirements, and the state superintendent must submit an annual report to the governor and legislature on compliance. This bill directly affects K-12 schools and students across North Dakota, aiming to ensure consistent educational content about the Holocaust. The bill failed to pass in April 2025, with 22 votes in favor and 24 against.
HB 1220 would establish a new "North Dakota accelerated degree" program for high-demand occupations within the state's education code. This program would allow students to earn credentials more quickly in fields with significant workforce needs, directly benefiting students seeking faster entry into these careers. The key mechanism is creating a new section in North Dakota's Century Code (Chapter 15-10) to formally authorize and structure these accelerated pathways. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to streamline education-to-employment for specific high-demand occupations.
HB 1179 would require North Dakota's public institutions of higher education to provide faculty members with at least a 12-month appointment 24 days of paid time off annually. It mandates institutions to track accrued time off, sets a limit of 30 days to carry over into the next year, and requires payment for unused time upon termination (capped at 54 days total). Institutions failing to implement this by August 1, 2025, would need to grant 54 days of paid time off to faculty by January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects faculty at all public colleges and universities governed by the state board of higher education.
HB 1244 would create a North Dakota income tax credit for parents who home-educate their children. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $10,000 per qualifying child annually (or $5,000 for married filers filing separately) for qualified educational expenses like books, tuition, computers, and software. To qualify, the child must be a dependent under 19, home-educated under North Dakota law, and the expenses must be directly related to home education. The credit would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and cannot exceed the taxpayer’s total income tax liability. This bill directly affects North Dakota parents who homeschool their children and choose to claim this tax benefit.
SB 2030 allocates $10 million to North Dakota's Housing Finance Agency for homeless grants and $50,000 for a homelessness study during the 2025-2027 biennium. It also provides $1 million to the Department of Public Instruction for homelessness liaison services in the state's ten largest school districts, requiring each district to match state funds dollar-for-dollar. Additionally, the bill transfers $200 million to the Housing Incentive Fund and mandates a legislative study on homelessness to identify funding gaps and solutions. These provisions directly affect homeless individuals, school districts, and state agencies managing housing and education services.
SB 2378 would limit how much local governments (like cities, counties, or school districts) in North Dakota can increase property taxes without voter approval. It sets a cap: annual tax budget increases could not exceed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous year, adjusted for changes in taxable property (e.g., new construction or lost exemptions). To exceed this limit, local governments would need approval from at least two-thirds of voters in a general election, but only for one year at a time. The bill applies to all taxing districts and prevents cities/counties from overriding these rules through home rule authority. It was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass in February 2025.
