Education

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 19, 2025

HB 1449: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 15.1-06-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to school counselor position requirements.

HB 1449 would require North Dakota school districts to provide one full-time school counselor for every 300 students in grades 7-12 (already in effect) and expand this to include grades K-6 starting in the 2022-23 school year. The bill allows up to one-third of the required counselor positions to be filled by certified career advisors, defined as individuals with specific credentials from the Department of Career and Technical Education. School districts would need to document recruitment efforts, explore alternatives like shared services or virtual counseling if positions aren't filled, and provide this documentation upon request. The bill directly affects all public school districts in North Dakota and their students in grades K-12.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands counselor-to-student ratios to K-6 (1:300), requiring additional counselors and enhancing student support services per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

Track

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 6, 2025

SB 2295: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-27 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to state education funding for all students in the state; to amend and reenact sections 15.1-27-02 and 57-15-01.1, subsection 1 of section 57-15-14, section 57-15-14.2, and subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57-20-07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to required reports, school district levy authority, and information displayed on property tax statements; to repeal sections 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-27-04.2, 15.1-27-04.3, 15.1-27-15.1, 15.1-27-20.2, and 15.1-29-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to adjustments to state aid payments and a property tax levy for tuition payments; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to state education funding for all students in the state; to amend and reenact sections 15.1‑27‑02 and 57‑15‑01.1, subsection 1 of section 57‑15‑14, section 57‑15‑14.2, and subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57‑20‑07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to required reports, school district levy authority, and information displayed on property tax statements; to repeal sections 15.1‑27‑04.1, 15.1‑27‑04.2, 15.1‑27‑04.3, 15.1‑27‑15.1, 15.1‑27‑20.2, and 15.1‑29‑15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to adjustments to state aid payments and a property tax levy for tuition payments; and to provide an effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state education funding structure, directly allocating budget resources for public education per legislative intent.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates new state education funding section for all students and amends related funding/reporting provisions, directly advancing school funding which is core to education topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Higher Education School Funding

Track

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 19, 2025

HB 1516: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the requirement for an educational employee to be an observer of the board of a public school.

HB 1516 would require North Dakota public school boards to include 1-2 non-voting "board observers" who are current educational employees (like teachers or support staff) from the school district. These observers would represent staff interests at board meetings, participate in discussions, and provide summaries of meetings to the district's education association. The bill specifies observers must be appointed annually by the education association and cannot attend meetings about their own employment. This bill directly affects school boards, educational employees, and their associations by creating a formal channel for staff input in school governance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school board observers from staff to represent educator interests, strengthening teacher involvement in decision-making processes.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires school boards to include staff observers to represent employee interests, enhancing workplace voice and aligning with workers' rights protection via formal representation channels.85% confidence

Track

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 1457: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 23-12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an exemption to required vaccines.

HB 1457 would create a new exemption allowing individuals to avoid required vaccines (for school, work, or licensing) if the vaccine doesn't meet specific safety and effectiveness standards. These standards require the FDA-approved vaccine to have undergone at least one year of safety testing against a placebo, with injury data publicly posted, a lower risk of serious harm than the disease itself, and manufacturer liability for deaths or injuries. The North Dakota Department of Health must publicize this exemption and prohibit state agencies from requiring conditions inconsistent with it. The bill failed to pass during its second reading in February 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves vaccine mandate requirement for school attendance, weakening a health policy standard within education.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill creates vaccine exemption criteria, weakening mandatory public health requirements by allowing avoidance of required immunizations.85% confidence

Track

signed · North Dakota · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SB 2213: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-13 and two new sections to chapter 15.1-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to mathematics curriculum, professional development, screening and intervention, related administrative rules and reporting requirements, and mathematics instructor competency; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for a department of public instruction mathematics screening pilot program; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to mathematics curriculum, professional development, screening and intervention, related administrative rules and reporting requirements, and mathematics instructor competency; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for a department of public instruction mathematics screening pilot program; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides an appropriation for a department of public instruction mathematics screening pilot program, funding a public education initiative.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates math curriculum standards, mandates professional development funding via appropriation, and establishes screening pilot program to improve math education outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 2378: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 57-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to limitations on taxing district budgets without voter approval; and to provide an effective date.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts local tax increases without voter approval, limiting government budget flexibility per bill's cap on annual property tax hikes.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationLimits school district tax increases without voter approval, restricting funding flexibility for educational budgets.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

Track

signed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 2196: AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 15.1-19-16 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to student self-administration of asthma or anaphylaxis medication.

SB 2196 amends North Dakota law to allow students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer their prescribed medication (like inhalers or epinephrine auto-injectors) at school without requiring a nurse or staff member to be present. This directly affects students diagnosed with these conditions and their school staff, who must follow updated protocols. The key provision clarifies that schools must permit students to carry and use their own medication during school hours and school activities, provided it is prescribed and stored properly. The change updates existing school health policies to align with current medical guidelines for student safety.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables students with asthma/anaphylaxis to self-administer medication at school, removing a barrier to educational access and participation for affected students.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows students to self-administer prescribed asthma/anaphylaxis meds without staff oversight, improving immediate access to essential healthcare during school hours.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 2030: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the housing finance agency and the department of public instruction; to provide for a transfer; and to provide for a legislative management study.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $10M to Housing Finance Agency for homeless grants and $1M to Public Instruction for homelessness services, increasing state funding for public programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M to DPI for homelessness liaison services in school districts, directly supporting student access and welfare in K-12 education through targeted funding and matching requirements.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $10M to Housing Finance Agency for homeless grants, $1M to school districts for homelessness liaisons, and $200M to Housing Incentive Fund, directly advancing housing assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance

Track

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1163: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-36 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a legacy fund school construction assistance loan fund; to amend and reenact section 21-10-11, relating to the legacy and budget stabilization fund advisory board; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

Relating to a legacy fund school construction assistance loan fund; to amend and reenact section 21‑10‑11, relating to the legacy and budget stabilization fund advisory board; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates legacy fund for school construction loans with continuing appropriation, directly funding public infrastructure through state budget mechanisms.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates school construction loan fund, providing financial support for infrastructure improvements in K-12 schools through dedicated funding mechanism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1100: A BILL for an Act to provide an exemption to continue free school meal funding for qualified delinquent meal debt and to provide for a legislative management report.

HB 1100 allocates $6 million from North Dakota's general fund to reimburse school districts for unpaid meal debt (outstanding charges for free or reduced-price meals) incurred before June 30, 2025. It directly affects school districts with delinquent meal debt by allowing the state to cover these costs using funds that can roll over into the 2025-2027 budget cycle. The bill requires the state superintendent to distribute reimbursements based on each district's share of statewide unpaid debt, capped at the district's actual debt amount. A legislative management report must detail the funds used, total debt by district, and reimbursement amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $6M from general fund to reimburse school meal debt, funding essential public service without tax impact.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $6M to reimburse school meal debt, ensuring continued free meal access for students and supporting school district funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Student Health

Track