The bill amends and reenacts section 54-06-14 of the North Dakota Century Code, which pertains to annual and sick leave for state employees. It establishes that all permanent state employees, who are not under a written contract, are entitled to annual and sick leave within specified limits. Notably, the bill introduces a provision for new hire leave, granting employees 40 hours of leave to be used within their first year of employment, which is not considered earned paid time off and is forfeited after the first year. Additionally, it sets parameters for annual leave accrual based on tenure, allowing for a minimum of one working day to a maximum of two working days per month, with the possibility of exceeding this for hard-to-fill positions.

Furthermore, the bill outlines compensation for annual and sick leave, ensuring full pay for the days credited to employees. It also stipulates that employees with at least ten continuous years of service are entitled to a lump sum payment for unused sick leave. The bill mandates that state agencies adopt rules governing the granting of leave, which must be filed with the office of management and budget. The effective date for this act is set for May 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 54-06-14
Adopted by the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee: 54-06-14
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 54-06-14
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Motschenbacher: 54-06-14
Enrollment: 54-06-14