Education

signed · North Dakota · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 2149: AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-36-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the school construction assistance revolving loan fund; and to declare an emergency.

SB 2149 updates North Dakota's School Construction Assistance Revolving Loan Fund, administered by the Bank of North Dakota, to provide low-interest loans for public school construction and remodeling projects. It sets maximum loan amounts: up to $15 million for projects under $75 million (or 80% of cost if district funds exceed limits), up to $30 million for larger projects, and up to $20 million for projects on air force bases. The bill requires school districts to meet specific eligibility criteria, including project cost thresholds ($1 million minimum), approval from the superintendent, community voting, and prioritization based on student needs, building age, and safety. Loans carry a 2% interest rate with a 20-year term, and the fund is replenished by repayments to support future school construction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides low-interest loans for school construction/remodeling, directly funding K-12 infrastructure improvements through the revolving loan fund.95% confidence

vetoed · North Dakota · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1540: AN ACT to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, 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 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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state appropriation for education savings accounts, directly funding a new program under state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates education savings accounts for non-public school students, expanding access via new funding mechanism95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

passed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 2341: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the adoption of the interstate compact for school psychologists.

SB 2341 would adopt the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists into North Dakota law, creating a new chapter in the state code. This compact allows school psychologists licensed in one participating state to practice in North Dakota without undergoing full re-licensure. The bill directly affects school psychologists moving between compact states and North Dakota's education licensing system. By joining the compact, North Dakota would align its licensure procedures with other participating states to streamline cross-state practice for school psychologists.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStreamlines licensure for school psychologists, enhancing access to educational support staff in K-12 schools without funding cuts or restrictions.95% confidence

Track

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 2392: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15, a new chapter to title 15.1, a new section to chapter 54-10, and a new chapter to title 54 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the regulation of prohibited discriminatory practices; and to provide for a legislative management report.

SB 2392 would prohibit public colleges and universities in North Dakota from requiring certain "prohibited submissions" (like mandatory statements about personal identity characteristics) or "prohibited training" (such as mandatory diversity workshops) as conditions for employment, admission, graduation, or state financial aid. The bill defines prohibited practices as those promoting differential treatment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal identity characteristics, including policies labeled "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI). Exceptions apply for requirements under federal law, and institutions must report any federal-mandated submissions to the state board of higher education. The law would take effect in 2026, with the board conducting biennial compliance reviews.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits mandatory diversity training/statements in higher education, restricting curriculum/academic requirements per bill's definition of 'prohibited practices'.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · North Dakota · Senate May 2, 2025

SB 2262: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 15.1-01-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authority for the kindergarten through grade twelve education coordination council to enter contracts; and to provide an appropriation.

Relating to the authority for the kindergarten through grade twelve education coordination council to enter contracts; and to provide an appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides appropriation for education coordination council, directly funding a public service program per budget & taxes topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides appropriation for K-12 education coordination council, directly funding administrative authority for K-12 education coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

passed · North Dakota · House Mar 7, 2025

HB 1179: A BILL for an Act to provide for a legislative management study regarding paid time off for the faculty at an institution of higher education.

HB 1179 would require North Dakota's public institutions of higher education to provide faculty members with at least a 12-month appointment 24 days of paid time off annually. It mandates institutions to track accrued time off, sets a limit of 30 days to carry over into the next year, and requires payment for unused time upon termination (capped at 54 days total). Institutions failing to implement this by August 1, 2025, would need to grant 54 days of paid time off to faculty by January 1, 2026. The bill directly affects faculty at all public colleges and universities governed by the state board of higher education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides paid time off for higher education faculty, directly supporting educator benefits and working conditions as part of institutional policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 24 days paid time off for faculty, expanding worker benefits and strengthening employment standards for higher education staff.95% confidence

Track

signed · North Dakota · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1357: AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 15.1-06-06, and sections 15.1-07-25.3 and 15.1-07-33 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to protection of student data and data sharing agreements; and to provide an effective date.

HB 1357 amends North Dakota law to strengthen student data privacy protections for school districts. It requires school boards to adopt written policies mandating permission from the board before sharing student data with non-employees (except parents or as legally required), allowing data sharing with state entities only through formal agreements, and requiring districts to maintain and publicly provide lists of all individuals and personnel with data access. The law directly affects all North Dakota public school districts by establishing clear, enforceable rules for handling student information. These provisions aim to increase transparency and control over how student data is used and shared.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens student data privacy protections requiring board approval for data sharing and public access lists, directly protecting student information in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly strengthens student data privacy protections by requiring written policies, restricting non-employee data sharing, and mandating public access logs, aligning with data privacy protections as a support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

vetoed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 2307: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 12.1-27.1-01 and two new sections to chapter 12.1-27.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, 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 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.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates school districts implement tech protections to restrict minors' access to explicit sexual material, directly restricting curriculum content per 'restricts curriculum' indicator.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyMandates technology protection measures restricting minors' internet access to explicit material in libraries/schools, aligning with obscenity control statutes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

Track

signed · North Dakota · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1105: AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-07-25.4 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a school district's virtual learning policies.

HB 1105 amends Section 15.1-07-25.4 of the North Dakota Century Code to update school districts' rules for virtual learning programs. The bill clarifies requirements for how districts must operate and manage virtual education options, including student eligibility and instructional standards. It directly affects all public school districts in North Dakota by establishing standardized policies for virtual learning. The legislation, signed into law on March 24, 2025, replaces outdated provisions to modernize virtual education governance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates virtual learning standards for school districts, clarifying eligibility and instructional requirements to ensure quality and consistency in virtual education, supporting educational access and program quality.95% confidence

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 7, 2025

SB 2170: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the creation of the army forces reserve component scholarship program.

SB 2170 would create a North Dakota scholarship program for military reserve members attending college. It would cover full tuition at state-funded institutions or the average tuition at private schools for eligible applicants who are active reserve members (army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, or space force), enrolled full-time in degree programs, without a bachelor's degree, and not previously receiving certain other military education benefits. The scholarship would be awarded regardless of financial need, with recipients limited to 48 eligibility units (equivalent to 4 years of full-time study). Applicants would need to apply for federal military education aid first, and the program would allow military call-ups to pause studies without academic penalty.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates scholarship funding for military reservists' college tuition, expanding higher education access for eligible students.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates state-funded scholarship for military reservists' education, directly expanding veterans' benefits through tuition coverage for eligible veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

Track