The bill amends various sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning school funding, state aid calculations, and school construction loans. It establishes a new baseline funding mechanism for school districts based on state aid from the 2018-19 school year, property tax deductions, and revenue from the 2017-18 school year. Additionally, it introduces a retroactive application clause and outlines specific adjustments for districts that transitioned to elementary status after the 2012-13 school year. The bill also sets forth the calculation of state aid for the 2023-24 school year, with the superintendent of public instruction responsible for determining final aid amounts after accounting for deductions.

Moreover, the bill increases maximum loan amounts for school construction projects, with new limits based on project costs and district financial status. It removes a previous provision that allocated $20 million specifically for construction on Air Force bases and establishes a new bidding threshold of $250,000 for public improvements. The amendments to school district levies allow for a maximum levy of seventy mills for educational services, with specific limits for other purposes. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, for most sections, while levy-related amendments will apply to 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