SB 2239 establishes a state-funded apprenticeship grant program in North Dakota. The program would provide financial assistance to both apprentices and employers participating in approved apprenticeship training. This bill creates a new funding mechanism within the state code and includes a specific appropriation to support the program's implementation.
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.
HB 1291, despite its title suggesting a "legislative management study," actually creates new enforcement provisions targeting employment of unauthorized workers in North Dakota. The bill prohibits private employers from hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized workers (defined per federal law) and requires labor commissioner investigations for violations, with cases referred to the attorney general for prosecution. Penalties include escalating civil fines ($5,000 to $30,000) and business license suspensions or revocations for repeated offenses. The bill failed to pass the legislature on April 4, 2025, with 44 votes against and 1 in favor.
HCR 3032 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not a regular bill) that would establish a minimum wage of $9.25 per hour for all North Dakota workers, effective January 1, 2027. It requires annual automatic increases tied to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers, rounded up to the nearest five cents, with the first adjustment based on the 2025 CPI data. If approved by voters in 2026, this would directly affect all employers across the state by mandating these wage standards. The amendment must be ratified by North Dakota voters at the 2026 general election, as it modifies the state constitution.
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 1606 amends North Dakota's state employee sick leave policy to set a minimum of ten hours (one working day) and a maximum of one and one-half working days per month for sick leave, based on an employee's tenure. It also requires that employees with at least ten years of continuous state service receive a lump sum payment equal to one-tenth of their final salary for unused sick leave. The bill mandates that state agencies develop and submit their own sick leave policies to the Office of Management and Budget for approval, ensuring consistency across departments.
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 1495 amends North Dakota law to require state and local government employers (including agencies, departments, and political subdivisions) to grant unpaid leave to employees serving as legislators during legislative sessions or committee meetings. The bill ensures that employees returning from this leave retain their original position, seniority, pay, and benefits, and prohibits employers from terminating or discriminating against employees due to their legislative service or candidacy. It directly affects legislative members who are employed by government entities, protecting their jobs while they serve in the legislature.
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.
