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SB 2239

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an apprenticeship grant program; and to provide an appropriation.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Michelle Axtman and 5 co-sponsors

ND would create an apprenticeship grant program, awarding up to $3,000 over three years to full-time registered apprentices, funded about $1.1M for 2025–27 and run by Commerce.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 14 nays 79
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2239

Summary — SB 2239 (North Dakota) — Apprenticeship Grant Program

Status: Introduced March 11, 2025; progressed through committee; ultimately failed second reading on April 8, 2025 (yeas 14, nays 79).

Note: The provided record contains texts and amendment reports from multiple states (Illinois, Mississippi) that use the same bill number. This summary focuses on the North Dakota bill introduced by Senators Boschee, Axtman, Wobbema and Representatives O'Brien, Schauer, Schreiber‑Beck.

Main purpose and intent

Create a state‑administered apprenticeship grant program to provide financial grants to individuals enrolled in qualifying registered apprenticeship programs in North Dakota, and appropriate funds to administer the program for the 2025–27 biennium.

Key provisions

  • Establishment

    • A new statutory section (variously cited in drafts as chapter 34‑05 or 54‑60 of the North Dakota Century Code) would create an "Apprenticeship grant program."
    • Administration assigned to the state commissioner (language varies across drafts between the Labor Commissioner and the Department of Commerce).

  • Administration and collaboration

    • The commissioner (or labor commissioner in earlier drafts) must administer the program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor and the State Board for Career and Technical Education.

  • Eligibility and award rules

    • The commissioner must adopt program eligibility guidelines that include requirements such as:
    • Full‑time enrollment in a qualifying registered apprenticeship program
    • Demonstrated program progress
    • A minimum grade‑point average or equivalent
    • Award amount: language changed during drafting:
    • Workforce Committee draft: up to $1,000 per year while enrolled.
    • First engrossment / House amendment draft: up to $3,000 total within a three‑year period (or phrased as $3,000 within a three‑year period while enrolled).
    • Grants are awarded to eligible individuals enrolled in qualifying registered apprenticeship programs in the state.

  • Appropriation

    • A one‑time appropriation of $1,100,000 from the general fund (or so much as necessary) for the Department of Commerce (or earlier drafts: Department of Labor and Human Rights / Department of Labor) to administer the program during the biennium July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: North Dakota residents enrolled full‑time in registered apprenticeship programs who meet the eligibility criteria.
  • State agencies: the commissioner’s office (Labor or Commerce, depending on the version), the State Board for Career and Technical Education, and program partners such as the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • State budget: a proposed $1.1 million appropriation for the 2025–27 biennium.

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduced (ND): March 11, 2025.
  • Referred to Workforce Development; committee reports on February 6 and March 26, 2025 (proposed amendments differed on award amount and administrative home).
  • First engrossed text and subsequent House amendments shifted certain language (award amount, chapter citation, and administrative department).
  • Passed one chamber (Senate) earlier (Senate vote recorded as 45–1 on February 21, 2025 in the legislative actions), but on April 8, 2025 the bill failed a second reading (yeas 14, nays 79) and therefore did not become law.

Notes and uncertainties

  • Multiple draft versions contain inconsistent references (e.g., chapter numbers, which department administers the program, whether the award is $1,000/year or up to $3,000 over three years). The most recent engrossed version with House amendments reflects administration by the Department of Commerce, an award of up to $3,000 within a three‑year period, and a $1.1M appropriation for the 2025–27 biennium.
  • Because the bill failed on second reading, the program was not enacted.

If you want, I can produce a redline showing the changes across committee drafts (award amounts, administering agency, statutory citations) or a short fiscal note estimating how many apprenticeship recipients $1.1M would cover under the different award scenarios.

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

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