19.0338.04000
Sixty-sixth
Legislative Assembly HOUSE BILL NO. 1171
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representatives Grueneich, Blum, Dockter, Headland, Howe, Mitskog, Pollert, Satrom
Senators Cook, Wanzek
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact two new sections to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to the development and implementation of a skilled workforce student
3 grant program; to provide a continuing appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an
4 expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
6 SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
7 and enacted as follows:
8 Skilled workforce student grant program - Development and implementation.
9 1. The Bank of North Dakota shall adopt rules to develop, implement, promote, and
10 administer a skilled workforce student grant program in conjunction with the North
11 Dakota university system and the North Dakota workforce development council with
12 the intent of attracting and retaining individuals for professional or technical skills in
13 high demand in this state. The grant amount must convert to a student loan if the
14 individual fails to comply with program requirements.
15 2. The North Dakota workforce development council in cooperation with job service North
16 Dakota shall use available labor market information to determine annually the eligible
17 high demand and emerging occupations in this state.
18 3. The North Dakota university system and the North Dakota workforce development
19 council shall compile a list of qualifying educational programs by April first of each
20 year. Qualifying educational programs may include degree or certificate programs.
21 4. An eligible individual may receive a grant in an amount up to eight thousand five
22 hundred dollars for each year during which the individual is enrolled full time in a
23 qualifying educational program in this state, up to a maximum of seventeen thousand
24 dollars. The grant, which is intended to assist the individual in meeting attendance
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1 costs, must be designed to supplement any other financial aid received by the
2 individual.
3 5. Each quarter or semester, the Bank of North Dakota shall forward the amount of the
4 grants payable under this section from the skilled workforce student grant program
5 fund directly to the institution or entity in which the individual is enrolled.
6 6. To maintain program eligibility, an individual must:
7 a. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0;
8 b. Maintain adequate progress toward degree or certificate completion as
9 determined by the Bank of North Dakota; and
10 c. Remain and work in this state in a high demand or emerging occupation for a
11 minimum of three years.
12 7. To ensure compliance with residency and occupation requirements after completion of
13 the qualifying educational program, the individual shall provide the Bank of North
14 Dakota a copy of the individual's income tax forms as proof of residency and
15 employment in a high demand or emerging occupation.
16 8. An individual is subject to the repayment provisions provided in the individual's grant
17 agreement if the individual fails to maintain program eligibility.
18 9. The North Dakota university system in cooperation with the North Dakota workforce
19 development council shall seek private matching funds for the skilled workforce
20 student grant program. Any matching funds received must be deposited in the skilled
21 workforce student grant program fund.
22 SECTION 2. A new section to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
23 and enacted as follows:
24 Skilled workforce student grant program fund established - Continuing
25 appropriation.
26 The skilled workforce student grant program fund is established as a revolving fund. All
27 moneys deposited or transferred into the fund, interest earned on moneys in the fund, and loan
28 repayments to the fund are appropriated for the purposes of section 1 of this Act.
29 SECTION 3. TRANSFER - BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA - SKILLED WORKFORCE
30 STUDENT GRANT FUND. The Bank of North Dakota shall transfer the sum of $10,000,000, or
31 so much of the sum as may be necessary, from the Bank's current earnings and undivided
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1 profits to the skilled workforce student grant fund during the period beginning with the effective
2 date of this Act, and ending June 30, 2021.
3 SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. Section 2 of this Act is effective through June 30, 2021,
4 and after that date is ineffective.
5 SECTION 5. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
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