Budget & Taxes

Relating to annual audits of the North Dakota development fund; to provide for a performance audit of the North Dakota development fund; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an appropriation.

HB 1171 creates a scholarship program for dependents of North Dakota law enforcement family members, directly affecting eligible students whose parents or guardians are full-time law enforcement officers (including correctional officers, firefighters, EMS providers, or peace officers) with at least three years of service. The program covers 50% of tuition costs (minus other aid) at state higher education institutions, administered by the State Board of Higher Education. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to fund these scholarships. The bill defines eligibility through tax dependency exemptions and enrollment at state-controlled colleges or universities.

SB 2185 appropriates $1 million from North Dakota's general fund for a one-time grant to replace outdated sewer and water infrastructure at Lake Metigoshe State Park and surrounding areas. The funds would be provided to a local water resource district to modernize the aging systems serving the park and adjacent communities. This grant is intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and focuses specifically on infrastructure upgrades, not policy changes. The bill directly affects park operations and nearby residents reliant on the shared sewer system.

HB 1517 would create the North Dakota Student Teacher Scholarship Program to support future educators. It directs the state board of higher education to administer $4.2 million in state funds (for 2025-2027) to provide scholarships of up to $3,000 per semester toward tuition and fees for student teachers enrolled in state-approved teacher preparation programs during their student teaching experience. Eligibility requires enrollment in such a program, satisfactory academic progress, and no existing teaching license. The program would directly benefit undergraduate student teachers pursuing initial teaching licensure in North Dakota.

HB 1100 allocates $6 million from North Dakota's general fund to reimburse school districts for unpaid meal debt (outstanding charges for free or reduced-price meals) incurred before June 30, 2025. It directly affects school districts with delinquent meal debt by allowing the state to cover these costs using funds that can roll over into the 2025-2027 budget cycle. The bill requires the state superintendent to distribute reimbursements based on each district's share of statewide unpaid debt, capped at the district's actual debt amount. A legislative management report must detail the funds used, total debt by district, and reimbursement amounts.

SB 2015 is a funding bill that allocates $247.1 million from North Dakota’s general fund to cover the operating expenses of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the 2025-2027 biennium. It specifies $266 million for adult services and $26.9 million for youth services, after accounting for $45.7 million in other funding sources. The bill also allows the department to deposit certain revenues (like fines, fees, and commissary profits) into its operating fund for use during the same period. It requires a legislative management study and a report on the department’s operations but does not create new policies or change existing laws.

Relating to the cost of digital forensic examinations and the establishment of an internet crime investigation fund; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide a penalty.

Relating to a rail revolving loan fund and uses of the abandoned oil and gas well plugging and site reclamation fund; to amend and reenact subsection 7 of section 6‑08.1‑02 and sections 6‑09‑35, 6‑09‑46.2, 6‑09.7‑05, 6‑09.14‑04, and 49‑17.1‑02.1, subsection 1 of section 54‑17‑40, and subdivision a of subsection 4 of section 54‑17.7‑04 of the North Dakota Century Code, and section 15 of chapter 14 of the 2023 Session Laws, relating to confidential and exempt records of the Bank of North Dakota, the rebuilders loan program, loan guarantees through the strategic investment and improvements fund, interest rate buydown limits for the partnership in assisting community expansion fund, department of transportation review and approval of rail projects, uses of the housing incentive fund, North Dakota pipeline borrowing authority, and a salt cavern underground energy storage research project; to repeal section 3 of Senate Bill No. 2188, as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, relating to a transfer from the strategic investment and improvements fund to the clean sustainable energy fund; to provide a deficiency appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for a report; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

SB 2256 creates a new grant program in North Dakota for research technology parks, providing state funding to support these facilities. It directly affects eligible entities like universities, research institutions, or private developers seeking to establish or expand technology-focused park projects within the state. The bill authorizes a specific appropriation (funding allocation) for these grants and requires grantees to submit a report on program outcomes. This legislation establishes a formal mechanism for state financial support of research infrastructure development.

Relating to compensation and mileage and travel expenses for witnesses, the salary of the attorney general, twenty‑four seven sobriety program fees, and the tobacco settlement trust fund; to provide for a report; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an exemption.