SB 2332 creates a new $25 million annual fund from state legacy earnings to support emergency services and public safety across North Dakota. The bill establishes an advisory board with representatives from fire, police, EMS, local governments, and tribal entities to award grants for specific priorities like recruiting personnel, modernizing response systems, expanding mental health crisis teams, and improving communications technology. These grants will directly assist local emergency services providers, rural fire districts, tribal governments, and communities seeking to enhance public safety coverage. The fund is funded through a dedicated annual transfer from the legacy earnings fund, with the Department of Emergency Services administering the grant program.
Relating to a pilot program to provide grants to schools that provide instruction in a foreign language to students in kindergarten through grade three; and to provide an appropriation.
Relating to motor vehicle fuel tax, special fuels tax, and aviation fuel tax refunds for fuels purchased by fire departments; and to provide an effective date.
This North Dakota concurrent resolution urges the federal government, Congress, and the North Dakota Governor to end the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, which provides contracting preferences for certain businesses. It cites the program's alleged cost burdens on contractors and references a court case (Mid-America Milling Co. v. USDOT) finding its race-based criteria potentially unconstitutional. The resolution specifically directs North Dakota's Department of Transportation to terminate its DBE program and supports legal efforts to eliminate the program. As a symbolic resolution, it expresses legislative position but does not change current law.
HB 1038 appropriates $15 million to replace state-owned uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that don’t meet federal security requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act and American Security Drone Act of 2023. It requires state agencies to return outdated UAVs to the uncrewed aircraft systems test site for disposal or sale, while providing new compliant UAVs, staff training, and a centralized registration system for agencies. The bill also allocates $11 million for a state radar data pathfinder program to integrate federal radar data with state UAV operations, enhance security protocols, and improve safety and infrastructure. Both programs require reports by June 2026 detailing implementation, costs, and compliance needs. The bill directly affects state agencies using UAVs and aims to ensure federal regulatory compliance.
HB 1379 would create a tax deduction for North Dakota residents and businesses selling qualifying gold or silver bullion. It allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by the profit (capital gain) from selling bullion that meets specific purity standards (999 parts per 1,000). The bill defines "bullion" as refined precious metal where value depends on metal content, not form, and applies only to gains included in federal taxable income. This change would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, if enacted. The bill failed to pass in March 2025.
HB 1107 would have created a new state income tax deduction in North Dakota for individuals who received Segal AmeriCorps education awards. The bill aimed to allow taxpayers to reduce their state taxable income by the amount of their Segal AmeriCorps education award. This provision would have directly affected North Dakota residents who earned these specific education awards through the Segal AmeriCorps program. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota House of Representatives on March 7, 2025, with 22 votes in favor and 25 against.
HB 1244 would create a North Dakota income tax credit for parents who home-educate their children. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $10,000 per qualifying child annually (or $5,000 for married filers filing separately) for qualified educational expenses like books, tuition, computers, and software. To qualify, the child must be a dependent under 19, home-educated under North Dakota law, and the expenses must be directly related to home education. The credit would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and cannot exceed the taxpayer’s total income tax liability. This bill directly affects North Dakota parents who homeschool their children and choose to claim this tax benefit.
HB 1465 amends North Dakota's gaming tax code (Section 53-06.1-12) to reduce tax rates for licensed gaming organizations, such as casinos and racetracks. It lowers the top tax rate from 12% to 6% for businesses with quarterly revenue exceeding $250,000, while maintaining a 1% rate for revenue under $150,000 and a $500 flat fee plus 6% for revenue between $150,000 and $250,000. The bill directly affects gaming businesses by changing how their tax burden is calculated based on quarterly revenue. This represents a concrete policy change to reduce taxes for higher-revenue gaming operators. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in February 2025.
HB 1590 would create a pilot program allowing North Dakota parents to open student education services accounts for K-12 children. Parents could deposit up to $2,000 annually per child, with the Bank of North Dakota matching 50% of those deposits. Funds could cover authorized expenses like career courses, tutoring, mental health services, and approved educational materials, with unused funds rolling over yearly. The pilot, running 2025-2027 with $41.2 million in state funding, would close accounts if students leave the state or don't pursue higher education, requiring parent refunds for contributed amounts.
