North DakotaSB 20032025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the North Dakota university system; to create and enact two new sections to chapter 15-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to presidential searches and the state commissioner of higher education; to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 6-09-53, subdivision a of subsection 1 of section 15-10-17, subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 15-10-48, subdivisions a and c of subsection 1 of section 15-10-48.2, subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 15-10-49, subsection 1 of section 15-10-75, subsection 1 of the new section to chapter 15-10, as created by section 1 of House Bill No. 1437, as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, paragraph 3 of subdivision h of subsection 1 of section 15-18.2-02, subsection 2 of section 15-18.2-03, subsection 1 of section 15-18.2-05, section 15-54.1-04, subsection 2 of section 15-62.5-03, and section 54-44.1-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, sections 6 and 7 of chapter 126 of the 2021 Session Laws, sections 7, 8, and 9 of chapter 3 of the 2023 Session Laws, and subsection 17 of section 1 of chapter 550 of the 2021 Special Session Session Laws, relating to the powers and duties of the state board of higher education, the economic diversification research fund, matching grants for the advancement of academics, the workforce education innovation program, academic tenure policy at institutions of higher education, state aid for institutions of higher education, university system capital building funds, the scholars program, the cancellation of unexpended appropriations, transfers from the Bank of North Dakota to the skilled workforce loan repayment program fund and the skilled workforce scholarship fund, transfers from the Bank of North Dakota to the skilled workforce loan repayment program fund, the skilled workforce scholarship fund, and to the state board of higher education for dual-credit tuition scholarships, and funding for hyperbaric oxygen therapy; to repeal section 15-10-74 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the naming of the Bismarck state college polytechnic center; to authorize the state board of higher education to issue and sell bonds for capital projects; to provide for a transfer; to provide for the conveyance of real property; to provide for a legislative management higher education funding review committee; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a report; to provide legislative intent; to provide an exemption; and to declare an emergency.

Sponsored By: Senate Appropriations

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Two-year funding for ND colleges

The law funds North Dakota colleges and the university system from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027. Total funding is $2.838 billion, including $811.683 million from the general fund. Each campus, such as UND, NDSU, Minot State, and Bismarck State, gets set amounts and FTE positions. These dollars keep classes, services, and jobs running statewide during the biennium.

Campus tech and central services

The system gets $71.99 million for core technology, $10.57 million for governance, and $800,000 for shared services for 2025–2027. This keeps central IT, online tools, and system offices running for students and staff.

More college aid and scholarships

The law funds college aid and scholarships for 2025–2027. It includes $29.9 million for student grants and $17.2 million for academic and career‑tech scholarships. It also funds dual‑credit tuition ($1.5 million), a scholars program, $1.0 million for Native American scholarships, veteran grants, and a professional student exchange. If you qualify, these programs can lower what you pay.

Colleges can use extra outside funds

Colleges can use any extra federal, private, or other funds they receive in 2025–2027, including tuition and North Dakota–Minnesota reciprocity money. Reciprocity funds are appropriated to the state board to reimburse campuses.

More funding for student mental health

$284,400 funds student mental health services for 2025–2027. Campuses can use this for counseling and other student supports.

Research and nursing training funds

The law funds research and training in 2025–2027. $5.69 million goes to competitive research, $342,000 to NASA EPSCoR, and $1.356 million to a nursing education consortium. These programs support faculty, researchers, and students and expand nursing workforce training.

Support for tribal colleges and programs

The law provides $1.4 million for tribally controlled community support for 2025–2027. Funds flow through the state board of higher education to help programs and students served by those colleges.

Building debt and budget flexibility

The law pays $11.20 million in campus bond and debt payments for 2025–2027. At the board’s request, the budget office can move money from operations to capital line items. The board must report any transfers to legislative management.

Stricter match for campus repairs

For 2025–2027 repair projects, most campuses must match $1 from their own funds for each $1 of extraordinary repairs money used. UND and NDSU must match $2 for each $1. Matches must come from operations or other non‑repairs sources.

Flexibility to adjust college staffing

The state board can raise or reduce full‑time equivalent positions during 2025–2027, as funds allow. The university system must report staffing changes with its 2027–29 budget request.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Senate Appropriations

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 217 • No: 47

Senate vote 5/2/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 42 nays 2, Emergency clause carried

Yes: 42 • No: 2

House vote 5/2/2025

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 69 nays 18

Yes: 69 • No: 18

House vote 4/18/2025

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 62 nays 25

Yes: 62 • No: 25

Senate vote 2/25/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 44 nays 2

Yes: 44 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Filed with Secretary Of State 05/12

    6/11/2025House
  2. Signed by Governor 05/12

    5/17/2025Senate
  3. Sent to Governor

    5/2/2025Senate
  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate
  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House
  6. Emergency clause carried

    5/2/2025House
  7. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 69 nays 18

    5/2/2025House
  8. Conference committee report adopted

    5/2/2025House
  9. Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar

    5/2/2025House
  10. Second reading, passed, yeas 42 nays 2, Emergency clause carried

    5/2/2025Senate
  11. Conference committee report adopted

    5/2/2025Senate
  12. Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar

    5/2/2025Senate
  13. Conference committee appointed Swiontek Sanford Richter

    4/23/2025House
  14. Conference committee appointed Sorvaag Schaible Thomas

    4/22/2025Senate
  15. Refused to concur

    4/22/2025Senate
  16. Returned to Senate (12)

    4/18/2025Senate
  17. Emergency clause failed

    4/18/2025House
  18. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 62 nays 25

    4/18/2025House
  19. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    4/18/2025House
  20. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 20 0 3

    4/17/2025House
  21. Committee Hearing 09:00

    4/4/2025House
  22. Committee Hearing 02:00

    3/20/2025House
  23. Committee Hearing 10:30

    3/20/2025House
  24. Committee Hearing 09:00

    3/14/2025House
  25. Committee Hearing 09:00

    3/14/2025House

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 House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee

  • Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Chamber

  • Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee

  • Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Wanzek

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation