Transportation (Public Transit)

HB 1195 proposed changing the penalty fee for illegally overtaking or passing a school bus in North Dakota from an unspecified amount to $500. It directly affects drivers who violate school bus stop laws, as it would have increased the financial penalty for this traffic offense. The bill aimed to amend a specific section of North Dakota's traffic code (39-06.1-06) by updating the fee amount in subsection 2, subdivision k. The bill was introduced on January 10, 2025, but withdrawn from consideration on January 15, 2025, without becoming law.

SB 2254 provides $2 million in one-time funding for fixed-route city transportation systems in North Dakota to support their paratransit services (accessible transit options for people with disabilities or mobility challenges) during the 2025-2027 biennium. This grant program directly benefits cities operating public bus routes that offer complementary paratransit services. The bill also requires the legislature to conduct a study during the 2025-26 interim, examining how transit networks can address population growth, economic development, workforce needs, and healthcare access, with the goal of developing a future funding formula for these systems. The study will inform potential future budget allocations for city transportation services.

HB 1106 allocates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund to the Department of Transportation for grants supporting nonfixed route public transit services. These grants directly assist public transportation providers (such as rural or on-demand transit systems) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill creates a dedicated funding stream for nonfixed route transit programs without altering existing service requirements or eligibility rules.