The bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning school funding, construction loans, and public improvement projects. It establishes baseline funding for school districts, determined by the superintendent of public instruction based on state aid from the 2018-19 school year, property tax deductions, and a percentage of revenue from the 2017-18 school year. The bill also introduces a phased reduction in baseline funding per weighted student unit, which will increase annually until a specified threshold is reached. Additionally, it outlines the calculation of state aid for the 2023-24 school year and beyond, ensuring that districts transitioning to elementary status after the 2012-13 school year are adequately supported.

Furthermore, the bill modifies eligibility criteria for school districts seeking loans from the coal development trust fund for construction projects, particularly those on air force bases. It increases the maximum loan amounts for projects under $75 million and those of $75 million or more, while also removing a provision that allocated $20 million specifically for air force base construction until June 30, 2027. The bill updates bidding thresholds for public improvements, raising the limit from $200,000 to $250,000, and revises school district levy limits, allowing for a maximum levy of seventy mills for educational services. The effective dates for these changes are staggered, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2025, and others for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 15.1-27-03.1, 15.1-27-04.1, 48-01.2-02.1, 57-15-14.2
Adopted by the House Education Committee: 15.1-27-03.1, 15.1-27-04.1, 48-01.2-02.1, 57-15-14.2
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 15.1-27-03.1, 15.1-27-04.1, 48-01.2-02.1, 57-15-14.2
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for House Appropriations Committee: 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-27-35, 48-01.2-02.1, 57-15-14.2
SECOND ENGROSSMENT: 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-27-35, 48-01.2-02.1, 57-15-14.2
Adopted by the Senate Education Committee: 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-32-19, 48-01.2-02.1, 48-01.2-10, 57-15-14.2
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Schaible: 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-32-19, 48-01.2-02.1, 48-01.2-10, 57-15-14.2
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Conference Committee: 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-32-19, 15.1-36-02, 15.1-36-08, 48-01.2-02.1, 48-01.2-10, 57-15-14.2
25.0716.04008 : 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-32-19, 15.1-36-02, 15.1-36-08, 48-01.2-02.1, 48-01.2-10, 57-15-14.2
Enrollment: 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-32-19, 15.1-36-02, 48-01.2-02.1, 48-01.2-10, 57-15-14.2