All Roll Calls
Yes: 239 • No: 34
North DakotaSB 20022025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the judicial branch; to provide an appropriation to the office of guardianship and conservatorship; to create and enact a new subsection to section 54-06-08.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to credit and debit card fees; to amend and reenact sections 27-02-02 and 27-05-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the salaries of justices of the supreme court and salaries of district court judges; to provide for transfers; to provide for a report; and to provide an exemption.
Sponsored By: Senate Appropriations
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Funding keeps North Dakota courts running
The law provides $152.9 million for North Dakota courts and judicial oversight from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. This includes $147.25 million from the general fund and supports 394 full-time-equivalent positions. A $7.97 million staffing pool funds new hires and covers shortfalls in expected salary savings. Pool transfers are limited to Supreme Court and district court pay, the guardianship office, and judicial conduct and disciplinary oversight. The Supreme Court must report hiring, vacancies, and salary savings to the Budget Section and the 2027 Legislature. It can request more funding from that Legislature if the pool runs short. Courts can also use federal funds and private gifts, grants, and donations, but only for their designated purposes. The budget director can move money between budget lines when the Supreme Court finds this necessary for judicial duties.
Higher pay for North Dakota judges
The law raises each North Dakota Supreme Court justice's annual salary to $207,249. The chief justice gets another $7,647, bringing annual compensation to $214,896. District judges earn $184,366 annually, and presiding judges get another $5,162. District judges also receive mileage and meal and lodging expenses for official duties outside their chambers.
Funding upgrades court technology and facilities
The 2025–2027 court budget includes $6.01 million in one-time technology and courtroom projects. Equipment receives $874,216, cloud storage gets $866,100, and moving case management software to the cloud gets $758,000. Clerk filing software gets $1.25 million, and the court records access system gets $960,000. Courtroom audio and video equipment gets $1.2 million, with another $100,000 for Cass County courtroom equipment. The Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund supplies $4.268 million of the project funding. The law also requires a separate $200,000 transfer from that fund to the Court Facilities Improvement and Maintenance Fund. The courts must report one-time spending to the 2027 Legislature; these amounts are excluded from the 2027–2029 base budget.
Guardianship office gets attorney staffing funds
The Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship receives a separate $355,000 general fund appropriation for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. It covers pay and operating costs for an attorney position transferred under Senate Bill 2029. This is separate from the $375,478 guardianship office line in the Supreme Court budget. The funding supports office staffing, not direct payments to households.
Court card payments can cost more
The North Dakota judicial branch can add a reasonable service charge to credit- or debit-card payments. The charge cannot exceed the card issuer's processing charge, called a discount. The law does not set a specific fee amount. The state court administrator decides which nationally recognized cards the courts accept.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Senate Appropriations
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/1/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 1
Yes: 45 • No: 1
House vote • 5/1/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 76 nays 13
Yes: 76 • No: 13
House vote • 4/21/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 73 nays 19
Yes: 73 • No: 19
Senate vote • 2/25/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 1
Yes: 45 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 05/12
6/11/2025HouseSigned by Governor 05/12
5/17/2025SenateSent to Governor
5/2/2025SenateSigned by President
5/2/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/2/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 76 nays 13
5/1/2025HouseConference committee report adopted
5/1/2025HouseReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
5/1/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 1
5/1/2025SenateConference committee report adopted
5/1/2025SenateReported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar
5/1/2025SenateConference committee appointed Hanson Swiontek Richter
4/23/2025HouseConference committee appointed Thomas Conley Meyer
4/22/2025SenateRefused to concur
4/22/2025SenateReturned to Senate (12)
4/21/2025SenateSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 73 nays 19
4/21/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
4/21/2025HouseLaid over one legislative day
4/18/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 21 0 2
4/17/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Appropriations Committee
3/7/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 09:00
3/6/2025HouseReceived from Senate
2/25/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 1
2/25/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
2/25/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 15 1 0
2/24/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Conference Committee Amendments
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Conference Committee
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Hanson
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee
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