North DakotaSB 22272025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 54-52-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to employee participation in the public employees retirement system; to provide for retroactive application; and to declare an emergency.

Sponsored By: Brad Bekkedahl (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Returning state appointees keep retiree status

The rule applies retroactively to December 14, 2024, for qualifying retirees returning to the same participating employer. They must have qualified for normal retirement and accepted a retirement benefit. An elected state official must appoint them to an unclassified state job. They cannot participate in the retirement plan or retiree health program, but can keep retirement status. This treatment lasts for the elected official’s term until a successor is appointed.

Government workers face retirement enrollment deadlines

Eligible workers at participating North Dakota government employers must join the Public Employees Retirement System within their first month of employment. Workers missed earlier must enroll immediately after notice of eligibility. They can waive the earlier participation period in writing to avoid contributions for that past service. When a political subdivision joins, eligible workers must state in writing whether they agree to participate. The law took effect immediately upon enactment and applies retroactively to December 14, 2024.

Returning retirees can waive future participation

The rule applies retroactively to December 14, 2024, for retirees taking jobs with a different participating government employer. They must have qualified for normal retirement and accepted a retirement benefit. Before re-enrollment within their first month, they can permanently waive future retirement plan and retiree health program participation. This choice lets them keep retirement status. Neither the worker nor the employer owes future retirement-system contributions for that worker after the waiver.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brad Bekkedahl

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Clayton Fegley

    Republican • House

  • Mike Lefor

    Republican • House

  • Austen Schauer

    Republican • House

  • Josh Boschee

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kristin Roers

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 131 • No: 6

House vote • 3/11/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 85 nays 6, Emergency clause carried

Yes: 85 • No: 6

Senate vote • 2/4/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 0, Emergency clause carried

Yes: 46 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Filed with Secretary Of State 03/18

    3/20/2025House
  2. Signed by Governor 03/18

    3/18/2025Senate
  3. Sent to Governor

    3/17/2025Senate
  4. Signed by President

    3/17/2025Senate
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2025House
  6. Returned to Senate

    3/12/2025Senate
  7. Second reading, passed, yeas 85 nays 6, Emergency clause carried

    3/11/2025House
  8. Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 11 1 1

    3/7/2025House
  9. Committee Hearing 09:15

    3/7/2025House
  10. Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Government and Veterans Affairs Committee

    2/18/2025House
  11. Received from Senate

    2/5/2025House
  12. Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 0, Emergency clause carried

    2/4/2025Senate
  13. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    2/3/2025Senate
  14. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 0

    1/31/2025Senate
  15. Committee Hearing 09:00

    1/30/2025Senate
  16. Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred State and Local Government Committee

    1/17/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrollment

  • FIRST ENGROSSMENT

  • INTRODUCED

  • Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Bekkedahl

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