Key legislators
Who's moving labor & employment in North Dakota
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All labor & employment bills
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.
Relating to the creation of the division of apprenticeship within the department of labor and human rights; to provide an appropriation; and to provide a report.
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.
HB 1285 adjusts compensation for North Dakota's permanent state employees, setting average 3% raises in 2025-26 and 2% in 2026-27, based on performance (excluding probationary staff and underperformers). It redirects $49.2 million - half the cost of prior higher raises - to the teachers' retirement fund for a one-time supplemental payment to eligible retirees. The bill requires state agencies to follow specific guidelines for implementing these raises and mandates the transfer to the teachers' fund during the 2025-27 biennium. It directly affects eligible state employees receiving raises and retirees receiving the supplemental payment.
HB 1608 would require North Dakota employers to grant employees at least 24 consecutive hours of leave for rest or religious observance on Sundays or recognized religious holidays, without restricting the duration. It prohibits employers from denying such leave and mandates that the labor commissioner investigate complaints, impose a $500 fine for violations, and may refer cases to a state attorney. Employers are exempt if leave denial results from an unavoidable emergency. The bill, which failed to pass the legislature in February 2025, is a proposed policy change affecting all North Dakota employees seeking religious leave.
HB 1060 would amend North Dakota Century Code sections 65-01-15, 65-01-15.1, and 65-01-15.2 to automatically provide workers' compensation coverage for work-related injuries sustained by correctional officers. If passed, it would eliminate the need for these officers to prove their injuries were job-related to receive benefits. The bill directly affects correctional officers working in North Dakota state facilities. This change would simplify the compensation process for affected officers under the existing workers' compensation system.
Relating to an income tax deduction for cash and noncash tips received by a food or beverage service establishment employee; and to provide an effective date.
