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.
Bill status
failed
2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Failed
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Jan 24, 2025
Last action Feb 24, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Feb 24, 2025
How they voted
22–25
Failed
Total votes 47
Feb 24, 2025
D
Democratic5
100% Nay
R
Republican42
52% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Feb 24, 2025
Vote failed
Senate Vote: fail (22-25)
senate
Feb 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back, do not pass, placed on calendar 4 1 1
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Hearing 10:00
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Education Committee
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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