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SB 2295

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-27 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to state education funding for all students in the state; to amend and reenact sections 15.1-27-02 and 57-15-01.1, subsection 1 of section 57-15-14, section 57-15-14.2, and subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57-20-07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to required reports, school district levy authority, and information displayed on property tax statements; to repeal sections 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-27-04.2, 15.1-27-04.3, 15.1-27-15.1, 15.1-27-20.2, and 15.1-29-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to adjustments to state aid payments and a property tax levy for tuition payments; and to provide an effective date.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Jim Kasper and 3 co-sponsors

ND SB 2295 would extend state K-12 aid to registered nonpublic and home-educated students, set cost per student, alter aid timing, and revise levy protections.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 4 nays 42
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Bill Summary · SB 2295

Summary — SB 2295 (North Dakota, 69th Legislative Assembly)

Status: Introduced March 11, 2025; Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 4, nays 42).
Primary sponsors: Senators Walen and Magrum; Representatives Kasper and Koppelman.

Purpose

SB 2295 would restructure parts of North Dakota’s K–12 state aid and related property tax/levy law to (1) extend state aid eligibility to students educated in nonpublic schools and by home education when those students register with their resident district, (2) change timing and documentation requirements before districts receive state aid payments, and (3) amend taxing‑district levy protections and certain calculations tied to state aid. The bill also repeals several existing statutory provisions governing state aid adjustments and a property tax levy for tuition payments.

Key provisions

  • Amends reporting and payment prerequisites (15.1‑27‑02):

    • Districts must file the Sept. 10 fall enrollment report to receive state aid past the September payment.
    • To receive payments past October, districts must have filed: June 30 student membership/attendance report, annual financial report, and personnel reports for licensed and nonlicensed staff.
    • By Dec. 15 each district must file taxable valuation and mill levy certifications; failure to file allows the Superintendent to withhold state aid until filings are made.

  • Creates a new section in chapter 15.1‑27 establishing state aid for public, approved nonpublic, and home‑educated students:

    • Defines “registered student” (K–12 student who registers with the resident district seeking state aid) and “cost per student” (statewide average educational cost).
    • Superintendent computes state aid payable to each district as: cost per student × (district weighted average daily membership + number of registered nonpublic/home‑educated students).
    • Distribution rules for registered students:
    • Approved nonpublic schools receive 75% of the cost per student.
    • Parents/guardians of students receiving home education receive 50% of the cost per student.

  • Amends taxpayer/taxing‑district protections (57‑15‑01.1):

    • Revises definitions (base year, budget year, calculated mill rate, and property exempt by local discretion).
    • Provides calculations and adjustments to determine permissible dollar levies, including reductions and increases tied to boundary changes, expired temporary levies, and an explicit reduction tied to state aid under chapter 15.1‑27 (multiplying budget year taxable valuation by the lesser of base year mill rate minus 60 mills or 50 mills if base year is before 2013).

  • Repeals (full list):

    • NDCC 15.1‑27‑04.1, 15.1‑27‑04.2, 15.1‑27‑04.3, 15.1‑27‑15.1, 15.1‑27‑20.2, and 15.1‑29‑15 — statutes that previously addressed adjustments to state aid payments and a property tax levy for tuition payments.

Who would be affected

  • Public school districts: new reporting conditions, changes to the state aid formula and amounts paid into/out of districts.
  • Nonpublic schools and parents of home‑educated students: eligible to register and receive state funding (75% and 50% of cost per student respectively).
  • Taxing districts and local taxpayers: levy calculations and limits are adjusted; potential impacts on property tax levies depending on final fiscal offsets and interactions with state aid changes.
  • State budget: expanding eligibility for per‑student state aid to nonpublic and home‑educated students would increase state expenditures (exact fiscal impact not specified in bill text).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • The bill directs specific reporting dates tied to withholding of state aid (Sept. 10, June 30, Dec. 15).
  • The bill failed to advance on second reading (vote 4–42) and therefore did not become law during this session.
  • The bill text indicates an effective date would be provided, but no specific effective date appears in the material provided.

Potential implications to watch

  • Fiscal: likely increase in state general fund obligations if implemented (payments to nonpublic schools and home education families).
  • Local taxation: the amended levy calculations and repeal of tuition‑levy provisions may shift funding responsibilities between state and local sources.
  • Administrative: school districts and the Superintendent’s office would need processes to register and verify nonpublic/home‑educated students and to adjust payment flows.

If you want, I can produce a one‑page fiscal implications estimate checklist or draft plain‑language guidance that districts and families would need if such a law were enacted.

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

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