All Roll Calls
Yes: 132 • No: 4
North DakotaHB 10642025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 15-18.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the national council for state authorization reciprocity agreements membership; to amend and reenact sections 15-18.1-01, 15-18.1-02, 15-18.1-05, 15-18.1-06, and 15-18.1-10, and subsection 4 of section 15-18.1-13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to postsecondary education institution standards; and to repeal section 15-18.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authorization of a postsecondary educational institution not operating in this state.
Sponsored By: House Education
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Online programs must join NC-SARA
The law requires any school that teaches North Dakota students online to join the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. Members must follow the council’s standards, policies, reporting, and fees. They must also meet its quality and consumer protection rules.
Stronger penalties and appeals for colleges
The law bans running or advertising a non‑exempt college in North Dakota without state authorization. Schools cannot enroll students, grant credentials, or use “university,” “institute,” or “college” without approval. Civil fines can reach $101,500 per violation, and each day can count as a new violation. Willful violations are a class B misdemeanor. The university system must send a written notice and give 30 days to fix problems before fines. The board may suspend or revoke a school’s distance education in North Dakota until it meets SARA rules. A school can appeal within 30 days of the notice; the board issues the final decision.
Tougher standards to run a college
The law requires schools operating in North Dakota to be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education–recognized agency and to have a federal financial responsibility score over 1.5. New schools can get one‑year provisional authorization while they make good‑faith progress toward accreditation. Full authorization is only available after accreditation. Schools must provide public disclosures set by the board. They must tell the board within 30 days of any change in accreditation, ownership, or their federal score.
Who is covered and who is exempt
The law updates key terms that decide who must follow state college rules, including “distance education,” “presence,” and “operate.” It clarifies who is a “duly authorized” college, including accredited schools, some exempt schools, licensed out‑of‑state schools that are active accreditation applicants, and schools the board finds meet comparable quality. It keeps and updates exemptions, such as member‑only trade or professional training, no‑fee charity classes, public colleges, certain private four‑year colleges chartered before July 1, 1977 that stay accredited, nursing schools, Native American colleges, schools with only clinical or student‑teaching placements, and career schools regulated elsewhere. It also repeals the old section that authorized schools not operating in North Dakota. These changes set clearer lines for which programs need authorization and which do not.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
House Education
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/2/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 43 nays 3
Yes: 43 • No: 3
House vote • 2/21/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 89 nays 1
Yes: 89 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/11
4/14/2025HouseSigned by Governor 04/10
4/11/2025HouseSent to Governor
4/8/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
4/8/2025HouseSigned by President
4/4/2025SenateReturned to House
4/3/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 43 nays 3
4/2/2025SenateReported back, do pass, place on calendar 5 1 0
4/1/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 10:00
3/12/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Education Committee
3/7/2025SenateReceived from House
2/24/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 89 nays 1
2/21/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
2/20/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 12 1 1
2/19/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 03:00
1/13/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Education Committee
1/7/2025House
Bill Text
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Heinert
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