A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to funding for newly created full-time equivalent positions at institutions under the control of the state board of higher education.

HB 1161 creates a state-funded pool to cover salaries for vacant full-time staff positions at North Dakota's public colleges and universities. Institutions must transfer unused funding for vacant positions (as of December 1 of the prior even year) to a central pool annually. Institutions can then request allocations from this pool to fill vacancies or hire temporary staff, but only if they prove no other federal or external funds are available. The bill requires the state board to report on vacancy rates, fund usage, and savings from unfilled positions.