SB 2303 North Dakota Senate · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an education savings account program.

SB 2303 would create an education savings account program in North Dakota, using state funds to help eligible families pay for approved educational expenses. Eligible students include K-12 residents who qualify for public school, with funds deposited by the Bank of North Dakota (80% of per-pupil funding). Parents would receive these funds for approved expenses like tuition at participating private schools, approved tutoring, textbooks, college costs, or educational technology, but must agree not to enroll children in public schools. The program requires participating schools to meet safety and nondiscrimination standards, and unused funds carry forward annually.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 2 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Failed

Feb 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Last action Feb 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

INTRODUCED → FIRST ENGROSSMENT · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was renumbered from 25.0768.02000 to 25.0768.03000 and significantly modified the education savings account program. The most important changes involve funding amounts, expense qualifications, and program administration. The deposit amount from the Bank of North Dakota was reduced from 80% to 60% of the allocated funds, while the school district's share was removed from the text. New qualifying expenses were added to include educational therapy services and a transfer option to a state education savings plan upon graduation. The definition of 'Administrator' was changed to indicate the organization assists rather than implements the chapter, suggesting a shift in administrative responsibility.

Scope change

The bill's scope was modified to expand eligible expenses to include educational therapy services and post-graduation savings plan transfers, while reducing the state's financial contribution to the program.

FISCAL

The amount the Bank of North Dakota must deposit into education savings accounts was reduced from 80% to 60% of the allocated dollar amount.

The requirement for school districts to receive 20% of the allocated funds and forward them to the Bank of North Dakota was removed from the text.

ELIGIBILITY

Educational therapy services, including occupational, behavioral, physical, speech-language, and audiology therapy from licensed providers, are now qualifying expenses.

Upon graduation, funds can now be transferred to a North Dakota education savings plan under section 6-09-38.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Administrator' was changed from an organization designated to implement the chapter to one designated to assist in implementation.

TIMELINE

A specific deadline was added requiring the Bank of North Dakota to make deposits by July fifteenth of each year.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2025

How they voted

20–24

Failed · 3 other

Total votes 47

Feb 14, 2025

D Democratic5

5 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican42

20 Yea 19 Nay 3

47% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Vote failed

Senate Vote: fail (20-24-3)

senate

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back amended, do not pass, placed on calendar 4 2 0

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee Hearing 02:30

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Education Committee

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors