HB 1627 proposed appropriating $7 million to fund free school meals for eligible students during the 2026-27 school year. It would have provided meals at no cost to students in public or nonpublic schools whose household income is below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill aimed to cover meal expenses through grants to school districts, with funding effective July 1, 2026. The legislation failed to pass in January 2026, receiving 45 votes in favor and 48 against. This was a funding measure, not a procedural resolution, and would have directly affected low-income students and school districts.
SB 2330 requires public and tribal schools in North Dakota to implement human trafficking prevention and awareness education for students. The bill creates a new legal section in the state code mandating this education as part of school curriculum. It directly affects all students attending public schools and tribal schools across the state. The law focuses on providing age-appropriate education to help students recognize and avoid trafficking situations.
Relating to the determination of state aid, boarding care costs, the coal development trust fund, the school construction assistance revolving loan fund, public improvement construction, bonds from contractors for public improvements, and school district levies; and to provide an effective date.
Relating to the collection of free or reduced-price meal eligibility information; to amend and reenact sections 15.1‑02‑02 and 15.1‑27‑16 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the salary of the superintendent of public instruction and administrative cost-sharing; to provide for a transfer; to provide a report; to provide an exemption; and to provide an effective date.
Relating to presidential searches and the state commissioner of higher education; to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 6‑09‑53, subdivision a of subsection 1 of section 15‑10‑17, subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 15‑10‑48, subdivisions a and c of subsection 1 of section 15‑10‑48.2, subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 15‑10‑49, subsection 1 of section 15‑10‑75, subsection 1 of the new section to chapter 15‑10, as created by section 1 of House Bill No. 1437, as approved by the sixty‑ninth legislative assembly, paragraph 3 of subdivision h of subsection 1 of section 15‑18.2‑02, subsection 2 of section 15‑18.2‑03, subsection 1 of section 15‑18.2‑05, section 15‑54.1‑04, subsection 2 of section 15‑62.5‑03, and section 54‑44.1‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, sections 6 and 7 of chapter 126 of the 2021 Session Laws, sections 7, 8, and 9 of chapter 3 of the 2023 Session Laws, and subsection 17 of section 1 of chapter 550 of the 2021 Special Session Session Laws, relating to the powers and duties of the state board of higher education, the economic diversification research fund, matching grants for the advancement of academics, the workforce education innovation program, academic tenure policy at institutions of higher education, state aid for institutions of higher education, university system capital building funds, the scholars program, the cancellation of unexpended appropriations, transfers from the Bank of North Dakota to the skilled workforce loan repayment program fund and the skilled workforce scholarship fund, transfers from the Bank of North Dakota to the skilled workforce loan repayment program fund, the skilled workforce scholarship fund, and to the state board of higher education for dual‑credit tuition scholarships, and funding for hyperbaric oxygen therapy; to repeal section 15‑10‑74 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the naming of the Bismarck state college polytechnic center; to authorize the state board of higher education to issue and sell bonds for capital projects; to provide for a transfer; to provide for the conveyance of real property; to provide for a legislative management higher education funding review committee; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a report; to provide legislative intent; to provide an exemption; and to declare an emergency.
SB 2019 appropriates $51.3 million from North Dakota's general fund for the Department of Career and Technical Education during the 2025-2027 biennium. The funding covers salaries, operating expenses, grants for secondary education, and specific programs like workforce training and STEM initiatives. It directly affects the department and regional organizations receiving $500,000 in workforce training grants, distributed as $230,000 to northwest, $40,000 to northeast, $120,000 to southwest, and $110,000 to southeast organizations. The bill provides no new policy changes but allocates existing funds for operational and program expenses.
Relating to the authority for the kindergarten through grade twelve education coordination council to enter contracts; and to provide an appropriation.
Relating to an education savings account program for students who are not enrolled in public school or a homeschool program; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.
HB 1247 proposes to create a new section within the North Dakota Century Code's chapter on school districts. This bill aims to establish specific protections for students who are victims of a sexual offense. It directly affects student victims and requires school districts to implement the new provisions designed to safeguard these students.
Relating to the powers and duties of center boards and the authority of a school board to pay a first-year signing bonus for teachers; and to declare an emergency.
