This bill proposes the establishment of an education savings account program in North Dakota, creating a new chapter in Title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code. It defines key terms such as "eligible student," "parent," and "qualified educational expenses," which include a range of educational costs from tuition at nonpublic schools to mental health assistance and educational camps. The bill designates the superintendent of public instruction as the program administrator, responsible for creating individual accounts for eligible students and ensuring that funds are deposited for qualified expenses by July 15 each year. Starting from the school budget year beginning July 1, 2026, eligible students from low-income households will receive a payment of $1,000, with provisions for compliance with federal laws related to educational choice.

Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation of $3,000,000 from the state general fund to support the administration of the education savings account program for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. This funding aims to facilitate the implementation and operation of the program, ensuring that eligible students can access the financial resources necessary for their educational needs.

Statutes affected:
Adopted by the House Education Committee: 15.1-20-02