Education

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1145: A BILL for an Act to create and enact two new sections to chapter 15-10, a new section to chapter 15.1-09, and a new section to chapter 15.1-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to displays of the ten commandments in state educational institutions and public schools.

HB 1145 requires all North Dakota state colleges and public school classrooms to display the full text of the Ten Commandments on a poster or framed document measuring at least 11x14 inches, centered with a large readable font. The bill mandates this display in every classroom and building under state educational institutions and school districts, specifying the exact wording and physical requirements. It allows schools to use public funds or donated funds to purchase these displays. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass during its second reading on February 12, 2025, with 38 votes in favor and 53 against.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates religious text display in classrooms, restricting curriculum neutrality and academic freedom per educational policy indicators.95% confidence

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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

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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

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failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 2392: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15, a new chapter to title 15.1, a new section to chapter 54-10, and a new chapter to title 54 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the regulation of prohibited discriminatory practices; and to provide for a legislative management report.

SB 2392 would prohibit public colleges and universities in North Dakota from requiring certain "prohibited submissions" (like mandatory statements about personal identity characteristics) or "prohibited training" (such as mandatory diversity workshops) as conditions for employment, admission, graduation, or state financial aid. The bill defines prohibited practices as those promoting differential treatment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal identity characteristics, including policies labeled "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI). Exceptions apply for requirements under federal law, and institutions must report any federal-mandated submissions to the state board of higher education. The law would take effect in 2026, with the board conducting biennial compliance reviews.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits mandatory diversity training/statements in higher education, restricting curriculum/academic requirements per bill's definition of 'prohibited practices'.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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vetoed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 2307: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 12.1-27.1-01 and two new sections to chapter 12.1-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of a public library, required safety policies and technology protection measures, and the state's attorney's review of public libraries, school districts, and state agencies for compliance with statutes protecting minors from explicit sexual material; to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 12.1-27.1-01, subsection 2 of section 12.1-27.1-03.1, and sections 12.1-27.1-03.5 and 12.1-27.1-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to obscenity control; to provide for a report to the legislative management; and to provide a penalty.

Relating to the definition of a public library, required safety policies and technology protection measures, and the state's attorney's review of public libraries, school districts, and state agencies for compliance with statutes protecting minors from explicit sexual material; to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 12.1‑27.1‑01, subsection 2 of section 12.1‑27.1‑03.1, and sections 12.1‑27.1‑03.5 and 12.1‑27.1‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to obscenity control; to provide for a report to the legislative management; and to provide a penalty.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates school districts implement tech protections to restrict minors' access to explicit sexual material, directly restricting curriculum content per 'restricts curriculum' indicator.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates technology protection measures restricting minors' internet access to explicit material in libraries/schools, aligning with obscenity control statutes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 2355: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to intelligent design in science content standards for elementary and secondary students.

SB 2355 would require North Dakota's public school science standards to include "intelligent design" as a "viable scientific theory" for all K-12 students by August 2027. The bill mandates the state superintendent to add it to curriculum standards, provide teachers with instructional materials supporting this view, and offer required training. The measure failed to pass in February 2025, receiving 22 votes in favor and 25 against. It directly affects science education content and teacher preparation in North Dakota public schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates inclusion of non-scientific 'intelligent design' in science curriculum, restricting academic freedom and undermining established science education standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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signed · North Dakota · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 1144: AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-06-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to transgender student accommodations and restroom use in public schools; to provide a penalty; and to declare an emergency.

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.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts transgender students' restroom access in public schools, mandating use based on sex assigned at birth with penalties for noncompliance, directly limiting educational access.90% confidence

passed · North Dakota · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1381: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 15.1-27-04.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the determination of state aid.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesMandates 40% reduction in excess school funding, decreasing state expenditure on districts above baseline, aligning with defunding/limiting government spending.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates 40% reduction in excess state aid for school districts above baseline funding, with annual 15% increases until baseline is reached, directly defunding well-funded districts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding

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