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.
SB 2263 allocates $500,000 for school districts to fund training grants focused on implementing "mastery frameworks" in education. This system requires students to master specific skills before advancing, and the bill provides grants for school district teams (including at least one administrator and, if available, an instructional coach) to develop and share these frameworks. Each team can receive up to $25,000 for staff stipends during dedicated training time (limited to ten days beyond regular contracts), with priority given to teams that have completed approved leadership training. The funding is one-time and intended for the 2025-2027 biennium, specifically to support schools in creating and scaling these instructional approaches across North Dakota.
SB 2030 allocates $10 million to North Dakota's Housing Finance Agency for homeless grants and $50,000 for a homelessness study during the 2025-2027 biennium. It also provides $1 million to the Department of Public Instruction for homelessness liaison services in the state's ten largest school districts, requiring each district to match state funds dollar-for-dollar. Additionally, the bill transfers $200 million to the Housing Incentive Fund and mandates a legislative study on homelessness to identify funding gaps and solutions. These provisions directly affect homeless individuals, school districts, and state agencies managing housing and education services.
SB 2142 would redirect 25% of North Dakota's motor vehicle excise tax revenue to a new "township road and bridge sustainability fund" instead of previous allocations. This fund would provide annual payments to non-oil-producing counties for road and bridge projects in eligible townships, based on road miles. To qualify, townships must submit annual certifications showing road miles, township funds, and local tax rates, while excluding those that didn't maintain roads or met other criteria. The bill specifies that funds must be used solely for road and bridge construction, maintenance, or repairs. It would take effect for taxes collected after July 31, 2025, if passed.
Relating to a county and township bridge fund and a legacy earnings tax relief fund; to amend and reenact section 21‑10‑13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the legacy earnings fund; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an expiration date.
SB 2008 allocates $10.35 million in state funds to cover the operating costs of North Dakota's Department of Financial Institutions for the 2025-2027 biennium. The funding includes $8.18 million for salaries, $2.15 million for operating expenses, and $20,000 for contingency. The bill allows the department to transfer funds between specific budget categories during this period without legislative approval, provided they notify the Office of Management and Budget and Legislative Council. This is a routine budget appropriation bill that directly affects the department's ability to function, with no new policy requirements or external impacts.
Relating to the North Dakota insurance incentive program; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 21‑10‑06 and subsection 3 of section 26.1‑01‑07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the insurance incentive fund; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide an exemption.
SB 2301 would adjust North Dakota's homestead tax credit for qualifying seniors and permanently disabled residents. It changes income eligibility thresholds to 325% of federal poverty guidelines (up from $40,000) and increases the maximum credit from $9,000 to $13,500 based on household size. The bill also clarifies that the credit continues if a recipient resides in a care facility (like a nursing home) without renting their homestead. This would directly affect older adults and disabled residents meeting income limits, providing relief on property taxes for their primary homes. The proposed changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
SB 2331 establishes a working group to manage wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, directly affecting park operations, local tourism, and conservation efforts. The group must maintain the wild horse population above 200 through nonlethal methods (like birth control or relocation), promote horse-related tourism, and submit annual reports to lawmakers. It requires a $50,000 state appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these activities. The bill mandates quarterly meetings and collaboration with the National Park Service, focusing on concrete management and tourism strategies without specifying outcomes.
SB 2300 would require North Dakota public schools to provide secure containers for students to store personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, or smartwatches) during the school day. Students must turn off and place devices in these containers upon arrival, with exceptions for documented medical needs. The bill allocates $1.89 million to fund the secure containers for the 2025-2027 biennium. It directly affects all K-12 students and schools in North Dakota, mandating a specific storage process during school hours.
