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SB 2187

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 44-08-04 and subsection 2 of section 54-03-20 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to lodging, compensation, and expense reimbursement.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Jose Castaneda and 4 co-sponsors

SB 2187 updates in-state travel lodging by tying daily allowances to 90% of the GSA rate and sets a monthly lodging cap for legislators, with option to voucher lower amounts.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 0 nays 44
0
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Bill Summary · SB 2187

Summary — SB 2187 (North Dakota)

A bill to amend and reenact subsection 2 of NDCC §44‑08‑04 and subsection 2 of NDCC §54‑03‑20 (lodging, compensation, and expense reimbursement)

Main purpose

SB 2187 updates state travel per‑diem quarter rates for in‑state travel and revises how legislators’ monthly lodging reimbursements are calculated and capped. The stated intent is to modernize lodging reimbursement rules and tie maximum lodging allowances to a published federal lodging rate.

Key provisions and changes

  • Revised in‑state travel quarter rates (subsection 44‑08‑04(2)):

    • First quarter (6:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon): $9
    • Second quarter (12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m.): $14
    • Third quarter (6:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight): $22
    • Fourth quarter (12:00 midnight – 6:00 a.m.): actual lodging expenses, not to exceed an amount established by policy of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Director must set lodging reimbursement at an amount equal to 90% of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) lodging reimbursement rate for lodging in this state. Political subdivisions may reimburse actual lodging to their officers/employees.
    • Note: the bill also states first‑quarter reimbursement is not payable if travel began after 7:00 a.m. (procedural limitation for that quarter).

  • Legislator monthly lodging cap (subsection 54‑03‑20(2)):

    • Each legislator is entitled to lodging reimbursement up to a monthly maximum set by the OMB Director and may not exceed the daily lodging rate under §44‑08‑04 for each calendar day during organizational, special, or regular sessions.
    • On August 1 of each even‑numbered year the Director will set the maximum monthly reimbursement for the next two‑year period equal to 30 times 85% of the daily lodging reimbursement then in effect under §44‑08‑04 subdivision d (i.e., monthly cap ≈ 30 × 85% × daily rate).
    • Legislators may elect to claim less than their entitlement by submitting a voucher with receipt(s).
    • Legislative Management may adopt guidelines to reduce the maximum reimbursement when two or more legislators share a single dwelling and the total rent exceeds the per‑legislator entitlement.

Who is affected

  • State employees and officials who travel in‑state and claim meal/quarter reimbursements.
  • Members of the Legislative Assembly (lodging monthly cap and shared‑lodging rules).
  • Political subdivisions retain authority to reimburse actual lodging as they choose.
  • The OMB Director: new responsibility to adopt policy and set lodging caps tied to the GSA rate.

Procedural history & current status (as provided)

  • Introduced: March 10, 2025.
  • Referred and read in committee (various committee referrals listed).
  • Status shown as: Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 0, nays 44).
    • (Multiple committee actions and dates are recorded; consult the legislative journal for an official, final status.)

Important notes / document discrepancy

The materials supplied with this request also include entirely different text labeled as an Illinois "Good Food Purchasing Act" and several Illinois Senate amendments (Sen. Willie Preston) that are unrelated to the North Dakota lodging/expense subject. Those Illinois provisions concern procurement and food‑purchasing policies and do not form part of the North Dakota SB 2187 amendments to NDCC §§44‑08‑04 and 54‑03‑20. If you want a summary of the Illinois Good Food Purchasing Act text instead (or in addition), please indicate that.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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