HB 1381 revises North Dakota's school funding formula to determine state aid for public school districts. It establishes a baseline funding amount using 2017-18 revenue data (including property taxes, tuition, mineral revenue, and other specific income sources) and calculates per-student funding based on this baseline. Starting in the 2023-24 school year, the bill requires a 40% reduction in excess funding for districts exceeding the baseline, with annual reduction increases of 15% until the baseline per student matches the state's fixed payment rate. This affects all North Dakota public school districts by changing how their state aid is calculated and potentially reducing funding for those with higher historical revenue.
SB 2207 amends North Dakota law to explicitly include federally recognized tribal governments within state reservations in the exemption from motor vehicle excise tax. This change directly affects tribal governments operating vehicles on their reservations, ensuring vehicles owned or procured by them are exempt from the tax. The bill expands an existing exemption previously covering state/federal entities to specifically include tribal governments. It takes effect for taxable events after June 30, 2025.
Relating to income tax rates for individuals, estates, and trusts and the marriage penalty credit; to repeal section 57‑38‑01.28 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the marriage penalty credit; and to provide an effective date.
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 tax on cigars, other tobacco products, alternative tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and electronic smoking device substances and a tobacco tax distribution fund; to amend and reenact section 57‑36‑01, subsection 1 of section 57‑36‑31, and section 57‑36‑32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of alternative tobacco products, transfer and allocation of tobacco products tax revenue and tax on cigarettes; to provide a penalty; to provide a continuing appropriation; 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 1438 appropriates $1.1 million from North Dakota's general fund for a historic theater restoration grant program administered by the state historical society. The program provides grants to organizations restoring historic theaters located in cities with populations exceeding 100,000, requiring recipients to secure matching funds from nonstate sources on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Funding is available for the biennium starting July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and is designated as one-time funding. This bill directly affects eligible theater restoration organizations in qualifying cities through targeted grant support for preservation efforts.
Relating to a legacy fund school construction assistance loan fund; to amend and reenact section 21‑10‑11, relating to the legacy and budget stabilization fund advisory board; and to provide a continuing appropriation.
HB 1604 creates a new state program to fund K-12 school construction in North Dakota, directly affecting school districts seeking state assistance for new buildings. To qualify, districts must meet specific criteria, including demonstrating renovation costs exceed 60% of new construction costs, having a failed referendum for construction/renovation within a set timeframe, and securing their share of funding. The bill establishes tiered state funding rates (from 5% to 95% of costs) based on a district’s property tax valuation ("mill value"), with a $600 million appropriation allocated for the 2025-2027 biennium. It also requires districts to use state-appointed architectural firms meeting strict in-state criteria and mandates plans for long-term building maintenance. The program expires on July 1, 2035.
HB 1129 appropriates $1.25 million for a study on student attendance and absenteeism in North Dakota public schools (K-12) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill requires the superintendent of public instruction, with input from a research team, to analyze existing data, identify strategies used in high-attendance districts, and develop recommendations to address chronic absenteeism. It mandates a legislative report with findings and proposed legislation by September 1, 2026. The bill failed to pass on February 25, 2025, with 2 votes in favor and 88 against.
