Relating to offering school breakfast and lunch at no cost and the school meals fund; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
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.
HB 1144 amends North Dakota law to require public school students to use restrooms and facilities corresponding to their sex assigned at birth, directly affecting transgender students in public schools. The bill mandates schools to enforce this policy, with penalties for noncompliance including potential loss of state funding. It declares an emergency to expedite the law's implementation. The legislation replaces existing accommodations for transgender students with a policy based on biological sex. This change alters school restroom access policies for transgender youth without providing alternative accommodations.
SB 2013 provides $9.87 million in funding for the North Dakota commissioner of university and school lands to cover salaries, operations, and contingencies during the 2025-2027 biennium. It also allocates $617.3 million from permanent funds to distribute to specific state institutions, including North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, schools for the deaf and blind, correctional facilities, and state colleges. The bill specifies exact amounts for each recipient, such as $584.7 million for common schools and $8.8 million for North Dakota State University. This is a procedural budget bill focused solely on funding allocations, with no new policy changes.
Relating to the option for a school district to reduce its local contribution deduction in the school state aid formula by the percentage of the local contribution which comes from in lieu of revenue.
Relating to the establishment of the immigration law clinic at the university of North Dakota school of law; to provide for a report; and to provide an appropriation.
Relating to the definition of a public library, required safety policies and technology protection measures, and the state's attorney's review of public libraries, school districts, and state agencies for compliance with statutes protecting minors from explicit sexual material; to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 12.1‑27.1‑01, subsection 2 of section 12.1‑27.1‑03.1, and sections 12.1‑27.1‑03.5 and 12.1‑27.1‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to obscenity control; to provide for a report to the legislative management; and to provide a penalty.
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.
Relating to the creation of a criminal offense for the misuse of education savings account funds and the establishment of the education savings account program; to amend and reenact section 15.1‑20‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to exceptions to compulsory school attendance; to provide a penalty; to provide an appropriation; and to provide a continuing appropriation.
SB 2286 proposes authorizing the University of North Dakota (UND) to borrow up to $55 million through a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota during 2025-2027, with interest capped at rates for state entities. It also appropriates $95 million in one-time funding for UND to construct a new health sciences facility at its School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The facility aims to expand health workforce capacity in areas like behavioral health and wellness, while supporting research and academic programs. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on April 8, 2025, with 6 votes in favor and 87 against.
