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HB 1172

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 15-19-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of fees for courses provided by the center for distance education.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Claire Cory and 7 co-sponsors

HB 1172 would let school districts charge fees for Center for Distance Education courses (with fees set by the state) and shift payment responsibility to parents/guardians or distr

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 1 nays 88
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Bill Summary · HB 1172

HB 1172 — North Dakota (2025) — Summary

Status: Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 1, nays 88)
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Sponsor(s): Representatives Heinert, Hauck, Jonas, Marschall, Meier, Novak, M. Ruby; Senator Cory (listed)
Subject: Amend subsection 3 of NDCC § 15‑19‑01 — fees for courses provided by the Center for Distance Education

Main purpose

The bill would amend North Dakota Century Code § 15‑19‑01(3) to change who is responsible for paying fees associated with courses delivered through the state Center for Distance Education (CDE). It shifts the statutory language so that a student’s school district of residence may charge fees (rather than being required to pay), and clarifies which party is responsible for payment.

Key provisions

  • Amends subsection 3 of NDCC § 15‑19‑01 to state that a center for distance education student’s school district of residence may charge fees for a course “as may be prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction.”
  • Specifies who must pay those fees:
    • The parent or legal guardian; or
    • The student’s school district of residence, but only if the resident school does not offer the course (either in that semester or at a time when the student has availability in the student’s preferred class schedule).
  • Retains the superintendent’s role in prescribing the fee amount or fee rules.

(Exact amended language in bill: replaces/changes existing “shall pay” wording to authorize the district to “may charge” fees, with payment by parent/guardian or by district when the local school cannot offer the course in that semester or scheduling window.)

Who is affected

  • Students enrolled in CDE courses and their families — potential for new or increased out‑of‑pocket charges for distance courses.
  • School districts — gains explicit authority to charge fees in certain circumstances and retains responsibility to pay only when the local school does not offer the course as specified.
  • Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction — retains authority to prescribe fees or fee rules.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Financial: Could shift costs from districts to parents/guardians in cases where districts choose to charge fees. Districts remain obligated to pay only when they do not offer the course in the relevant semester or scheduling window.
  • Access/equity: Charging fees could deter some students from taking distance courses, potentially affecting access to advanced, specialized, or scheduling‑flexible classes.
  • Administrative: May require districts to adopt new billing/waiver policies and for the Superintendent to promulgate fee guidance or schedules.
  • Fiscal effect: No fiscal note was included in the materials provided; local and family financial impacts would depend on how many districts elect to charge and at what fee levels.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Nov. 12, 2024.
  • Read first time (legislative record entry) March 7, 2025 and referred to committee (Delivery of Government Efficiency).
  • According to the provided status line, the bill failed to pass on second reading (vote recorded as yeas 1, nays 88). (No effective date was specified because the bill did not advance.)

Bottom line

HB 1172 would have given school districts explicit authority to charge fees for Center for Distance Education courses (with fees prescribed by the superintendent) and clarified situations in which the district — rather than the parent/guardian — must pay. It failed to advance on second reading; the practical effects would depend on implementation details (fee levels, waivers, and district policy) and could affect student access to distance learning.

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

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