This bill appropriates funding for the Department of Public Instruction, the Center for Distance Education, the State Library, the School for the Deaf, and North Dakota Vision Services - School for the Blind for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. It introduces a new section to Chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code that mandates the electronic collection of household income information for determining eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. The bill also amends the salary of the superintendent of public instruction, increasing it to $147,978 through June 30, 2026, and to $152,417 thereafter, while detailing various appropriations for salaries, operating expenses, and grants across the mentioned agencies.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for base level enhancements, new full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, and specific funding allocations for educational programs, such as a teacher retention program and grants for paraprofessionals. It exempts unexpended appropriations for the state library and the school for the deaf from certain provisions, allowing these funds to be utilized for building renovations and upgrades. The bill also modifies provisions related to cooperative educational services among school districts, ensuring that cooperating districts receive a payment rate equivalent to what they would have received without the cooperative plan for four years. The effective date for the electronic collection requirement is set for 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