This bill appropriates approximately $3.056 billion for the Department of Public Instruction and various educational institutions in North Dakota for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. It includes provisions for salary adjustments, operating expenses, and grants aimed at enhancing educational services, such as teacher retention, early learning, and dyslexia training. A significant addition to the bill is a new section in Chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, which mandates school districts to collect household income information electronically to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, while also allowing a paper option upon request. The bill also increases the salary of the superintendent of public instruction to $147,978 through June 30, 2026, and to $152,417 thereafter.

Additionally, the bill provides exemptions for unexpended appropriations for the state library and the school for the deaf, allowing these funds to be utilized for building renovations and upgrades during the specified biennium. It allocates $1,737,582 for public library aid, with a stipulation on spending limits for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The bill also revises provisions related to cooperative educational services among school districts, ensuring equivalent payment rates for four years under approved plans, while clarifying that districts are not required to share administrative personnel or provide unduplicated services. The new electronic collection requirement for meal eligibility will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations Committee: 15.1-02-02
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 15.1-02-02
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee: 15.1-02-02
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Conference Committee: 15.1-02-02, 15.1-27-16
25.0157.02008 : 15.1-02-02, 15.1-27-16
Enrollment: 15.1-02-02, 15.1-27-16