# North Dakota SB 2003: 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. North Dakota SB 2003, 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., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Senate Appropriations; status signed, last action 2025-06-11 (Filed with Secretary Of State 05/12); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-18). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2003-202501 - As of: 2026-10-18 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: North Dakota SB 2003 - State: North Dakota - Session: 2025 Regular Session - Title: 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. - Status: signed - Chamber: Senate - Introduced: 2025-01-07 - Last action: 2025-06-11, Filed with Secretary Of State 05/12 - Sponsor: Senate Appropriations - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 4 (217 yes, 47 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 15 ## Summary No summary available. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Funding for colleges and student aid: benefit, high. The law provides about $3.374 billion for North Dakota higher education through June 30, 2027, including $535.35 million above base funding. Funding includes $30.92 million in student assistance grants, $5 million in supplemental grants, and $17.22 million in academic and career scholarships. It al… - Tenure appeal rights for college faculty: benefit, low. By July 1, 2026, state-system colleges offering tenure must adopt policies with a hearing and appeal process. Faculty can use that process to challenge the tenure policy or a committee decision about post-tenure evaluation. - Equipment grants for oxygen therapy providers: benefit, low. The law provides up to $2.104121 million in federal recovery money for hyperbaric oxygen therapy equipment. The University of North Dakota medical school purchases the equipment for grants to North Dakota health care providers. Funding ends June 30, 2027. This provision does not establish patient e… - Colleges can keep unspent project money: benefit, low. The university system's exemption from the usual cancellation rule lasts through July 31, 2027; it must report carried-over amounts and uses. Named unspent appropriations remain available for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027, including 2023 capital projects and dual-credit scholarships. These also includ… - Funding for skilled workers' student aid: benefit, low. Bank of North Dakota earnings and profits fund skilled-workforce scholarships and student loan repayment. For July 1, 2021–June 30, 2027, transfers provide only the amount needed, up to $2.25 million for each fund. Separate transfers provide $3.4 million to each fund for July 1, 2023–June 30, 2027.… - Higher state aid rates for colleges: benefit, low. State aid formula base rates rise from $73.15 to $79.57 for the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. Rates rise from $103.76 to $111.55 for Dickinson, Mayville, Minot, and Valley City State Universities. Rates rise from $110.38 to $119.91 for Bismarck State, Dakota College… - Matching grant limits for state colleges: benefit, low. One matching-grant program's total award ceiling rises from $2.2 million to $2.645 million, with matching requirements still applying. Separate institutional grant limits allow up to $2.045 million each for Bismarck State, Dickinson State, Minot State, and the North Dakota State College of Science.… - Tuition scholarships for dual-credit students: benefit, low. The law directs $1.5 million from Bank of North Dakota earnings and profits to dual-credit tuition scholarships. The transfer covers July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027. Transfers go to the university system when requested by the higher education commissioner. The money supports eligible students,… - Workforce training grants for state colleges: benefit, low. The higher education board can award grants for college programs that meet North Dakota business and industry workforce needs. Each eligible college can receive up to $1.5 million per two-year budget period. Colleges must be under the board's control; the University of North Dakota and North Dakota… - Resident recruitment goal for medical students: mixed, medium. Starting July 1, 2025, the University of North Dakota must develop and use recruitment and acceptance strategies favoring resident enrollment. The goal is 85% North Dakota residents in its medical and physician assistant programs by fall 2030. This is a goal, not a guaranteed admission quota, and c… - New scholarship tie-break for students: mixed, low. North Dakota Scholars Program applicants tied under the main scoring method are ranked by their ACT or equivalent scale-score totals. An approved test without scale scores counts as zero for this tie-break. The rule can move tied applicants higher or lower in the award ranking. - College leadership and staffing rules change: mixed, low. The higher education board appoints college presidents and can authorize search committees and retain consultants selected by those committees. The board can contract for the higher education commissioner to become college faculty or staff after the commissioner's contract ends. The system office m… - Colleges gain funding and spending flexibility: mixed, low. From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, the university system can spend additional federal, private, and other funds, including tuition. This authority applies only when lawmakers have not indicated an intent to reject the money. North Dakota–Minnesota tuition reciprocity funds must reimburse sys… - Colleges must match building repair funds: mixed, low. Colleges using extraordinary-repair money must provide matching funds from operations or other sources. Most must provide $1 for each state dollar; the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University must provide $2. The same ratios apply to Tier III capital building funds, with the ma… - University land sales support campus repairs: mixed, low. The higher education board can sell about 20 acres at Sixth Avenue North and 42nd Street North in Grand Forks. It can also sell about 2.74 acres at 4201 James Ray Drive. The board or its designee must jointly set sale terms with the commissioner of university and school lands. Sales transfer public… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Senate Appropriations ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-05-02 | Senate | Second reading, passed, yeas 42 nays 2, Emergency clause carried | pass | 42 | 2 | | | 2025-05-02 | House | Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 69 nays 18 | pass | 69 | 18 | | | 2025-04-18 | House | Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 62 nays 25 | pass | 62 | 25 | | | 2025-02-25 | Senate | Second reading, passed, yeas 44 nays 2 | pass | 44 | 2 | | ## Actions (81) - 2025-06-11: Filed with Secretary Of State 05/12 (House) - 2025-05-17: Signed by Governor 05/12 (Senate) - 2025-05-02: Sent to Governor (Senate) - 2025-05-02: Signed by President (Senate) - 2025-05-02: Signed by Speaker (House) - 2025-05-02: Emergency clause carried (House) - 2025-05-02: Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 69 nays 18 (House) - 2025-05-02: Conference committee report adopted (House) - 2025-05-02: Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar (House) - 2025-05-02: Second reading, passed, yeas 42 nays 2, Emergency clause carried (Senate) - 2025-05-02: Conference committee report adopted (Senate) - 2025-05-02: Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar (Senate) - 2025-04-23: Conference committee appointed Swiontek Sanford Richter (House) - 2025-04-22: Conference committee appointed Sorvaag Schaible Thomas (Senate) - 2025-04-22: Refused to concur (Senate) - 2025-04-18: Returned to Senate (12) (Senate) - 2025-04-18: Emergency clause failed (House) - 2025-04-18: Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 62 nays 25 (House) - 2025-04-18: Amendment adopted, placed on calendar (House) - 2025-04-17: Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 20 0 3 (House) - 2025-04-04: Committee Hearing 09:00 (House) - 2025-03-20: Committee Hearing 02:00 (House) - 2025-03-20: Committee Hearing 10:30 (House) - 2025-03-14: Committee Hearing 09:00 (House) - 2025-03-14: Committee Hearing 09:00 (House) - 2025-03-13: Committee Hearing 10:30 (House) - 2025-03-13: Committee Hearing 10:30 (House) - 2025-03-12: Committee Hearing 11:00 (House) - 2025-03-12: Committee Hearing 09:45 (House) - 2025-03-12: Committee Hearing 08:30 (House) - 2025-03-12: Committee Hearing 08:30 (House) - 2025-03-11: Committee Hearing 02:00 (House) - 2025-03-11: Committee Hearing 02:00 (House) - 2025-03-11: Committee Hearing 10:30 (House) - 2025-03-11: Committee Hearing 09:15 (House) - 2025-03-11: Committee Hearing 08:00 (House) - 2025-03-11: Committee Hearing 08:00 (House) - 2025-03-10: Committee Hearing 02:00 (House) - 2025-03-10: Committee Hearing 02:00 (House) - 2025-03-10: Committee Hearing 10:30 (House) - 2025-03-10: Committee Hearing 09:15 (House) - 2025-03-10: Committee Hearing 08:00 (House) - 2025-03-10: Committee Hearing 08:00 (House) - 2025-03-07: Introduced, first reading, referred Appropriations Committee (House) - 2025-02-25: Received from Senate (House) - 2025-02-25: Second reading, passed, yeas 44 nays 2 (Senate) - 2025-02-25: Amendment failed (Senate) - 2025-02-25: Amendment proposed on floor (Senate) - 2025-02-25: Amendment adopted, placed on calendar (Senate) - 2025-02-24: Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 15 1 0 (Senate) - 2025-02-07: Committee Hearing 02:00 (Senate) - 2025-02-07: Committee Hearing 10:45 (Senate) - 2025-02-07: Committee Hearing 10:00 (Senate) - 2025-02-07: Committee Hearing 09:15 (Senate) - 2025-02-07: Committee Hearing 08:30 (Senate) - 2025-02-05: Committee Hearing 03:30 (Senate) - 2025-02-05: Committee Hearing 02:45 (Senate) - 2025-02-05: Committee Hearing 02:00 (Senate) - 2025-02-05: Committee Hearing 10:45 (Senate) - 2025-02-05: Committee Hearing 10:00 (Senate) - 2025-02-05: Committee Hearing 09:15 (Senate) - 2025-02-05: Committee Hearing 08:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-29: Committee Hearing 02:00 (Senate) - 2025-01-21: Committee Hearing 10:00 (Senate) - 2025-01-21: Committee Hearing 08:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-20: Committee Hearing 02:00 (Senate) - 2025-01-20: Committee Hearing 09:15 (Senate) - 2025-01-20: Committee Hearing 08:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-17: Committee Hearing 09:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-17: Committee Hearing 08:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-16: Committee Hearing 02:15 (Senate) - 2025-01-16: Committee Hearing 01:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-16: Committee Hearing 10:45 (Senate) - 2025-01-16: Committee Hearing 10:00 (Senate) - 2025-01-16: Committee Hearing 09:15 (Senate) - 2025-01-16: Committee Hearing 08:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-15: Committee Hearing 04:00 (Senate) - 2025-01-15: Committee Hearing 03:15 (Senate) - 2025-01-15: Committee Hearing 02:15 (Senate) - 2025-01-15: Committee Hearing 01:30 (Senate) - 2025-01-07: Introduced, first reading, referred Appropriations Committee (Senate) ## Bill text - Enrollment: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-07000.pdf) - FIRST ENGROSSMENT: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02000.pdf) - FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Conference Committee Amendments: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-06000.pdf) - FIRST ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-04000.pdf), [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-05000.pdf) - INTRODUCED: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-01000.pdf) - Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Conference Committee: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02030m.pdf) - Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02027m.pdf) - Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Chamber: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02028m.pdf) - Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-01004m.pdf) - Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Wanzek: [PDF](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02001m.pdf) ## Related bills - SB 2390: AN ACT to create and enact three new sections to chapter 54-40.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a rural catalyst committee, grant program, and f… (signed) - HB 1298: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 39-06.1-06, 39-09-02, 39-09-04, and 39-09-07.1, and subsection 2 of section 40-05-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, rel… (signed) - HB 1229: AN ACT to create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of section 39-06.1-06 and section 39-10-71.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to statuto… (signed) - SB 2113: AN ACT to create and enact two new sections to chapter 50-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to certified community behavioral health clinics and th… (signed) - SB 2147: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 15-10-38.4, a new subsection to section 15-62.4-03, a new section to chapter 15-62.4, and a new subsecti… (signed) - SB 2018: AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of commerce; to provide an appropriation to the attorney general; to provide an… (signed) ## Sources - [Enrollment (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-07000.pdf) - [FIRST ENGROSSMENT (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02000.pdf) - [FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Conference Committee Amendments (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-06000.pdf) - [FIRST ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-04000.pdf) - [FIRST ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-05000.pdf) - [INTRODUCED (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-01000.pdf) - [Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Conference Committee (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02030m.pdf) - [Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02027m.pdf) - [Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Chamber (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02028m.pdf) - [Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-01004m.pdf) - [Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Wanzek (PDF)](https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0170-02001m.pdf) ## Related - [SB 2390: AN ACT to create and enact three new sections to chapter 54-40.1 of the North D…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2390-202501) - [HB 1298: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 39-06.1-06, 39-09-02, 39-09-04, and 39-09-…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-HB1298-202501) - [HB 1229: AN ACT to create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of section 39-06.1…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-HB1229-202501) - [SB 2113: AN ACT to create and enact two new sections to chapter 50-06 of the North Dakot…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2113-202501) - [SB 2147: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 15-10-38.4, a new subsec…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2147-202501) - [SB 2018: AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2018-202501) - [North Dakota bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/north-dakota/bills) - [North Dakota state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/north-dakota) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/ND-SB2003-202501 (as of 2026-10-18).