HB 1129 — Appropriation to Address K–12 Student Attendance and Absenteeism (Summary)
Status and basic info
- Title: A bill to provide an appropriation to the Department of Public Instruction to address student attendance and absenteeism.
- Jurisdiction / bill text source: North Dakota — Engrossed House Bill No. 1129 (Sixty‑ninth Legislative Assembly).
- Introduced: (filed) November 12, 2024 (bill materials dated Jan–Feb 2025).
- Sponsors (engrossed text): Representatives Richter, Mitskog, Murphy, O'Brien, Schauer; Senators Boschee, Meyer, Sickler.
- Final procedural status: Failed on second reading (vote recorded as yeas 2, nays 88).
Purpose and intent
- To provide one‑time funding and a directed study to identify causes of student absenteeism (including chronic absenteeism) in K–12 public schools, to study effective practices used by high‑attendance districts, and to develop and implement strategies to improve student attendance statewide.
Key provisions and requirements
- Appropriation(s)
- Engrossed (First Engrossment) version: one‑time appropriation of $1,000,000 from the general fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the 2025–27 biennium (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2027).
- Earlier introduced text included $1,250,000 with up to $250,000 permitted to contract a research team from a North Dakota research university. (Different bill drafts show both figures; the engrossed version lists $1,000,000.)
- Use of funds
- Fund DPI activities to study and address student attendance and absenteeism in kindergarten through grade 12.
- If authorized, up to $250,000 may be used to contract a research team from an in‑state research university to assist the study (appears in earlier draft).
- Funding is designated as one‑time.
- Study, analysis, and implementation schedule
1. First year (2025–26): Superintendent of Public Instruction, in collaboration with a university research team, shall study student attendance and absenteeism (including chronic absenteeism), using existing DPI quantitative data and collecting additional qualitative and quantitative information as needed. The study must analyze districts with high attendance to identify successful strategies.
2. Second year (2026–27): Superintendent shall identify districts with chronic absenteeism and implement appropriate strategies to improve attendance.
3. Reporting: Superintendent must report findings, recommendations, and any implementing legislation to Legislative Management by September 1, 2026.
- Effective period: Funding and activities contemplated for the 2025–27 biennium (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).
Who would be affected
- Primary: Students (K–12) and school districts across the state; districts identified with chronic absenteeism would be subject to targeted strategies.
- Administrative: Department of Public Instruction (responsible for study, coordination, implementation, reporting); participating in‑state research universities and contracted research teams (if funded).
- Legislative: Legislative Management (recipient of final report and recommendations).
Fiscal impact and resources
- One‑time appropriation (engrossed text): $1,000,000. Earlier draft showed $1,250,000 with up to $250,000 for contracted research.
- DPI would administer the study and implementation within existing structures; the bill anticipates contracting and data work but treats funding as one‑time.
- No long‑term state general fund commitment beyond the stated appropriation unless further legislation is proposed following the report.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Study and implementation tied to the 2025–27 biennium.
- Final report due to Legislative Management by September 1, 2026 — this is intended to produce recommendations and any needed legislation to follow.
- The bill did not advance to enactment: recorded as failing second reading (yeas 2, nays 88).
Notes on draft variations
- Multiple drafts contained differing appropriation amounts ($1,250,000 with $250,000 earmarked for university contracting vs. a $1,000,000 engrossed amount). Readers should consult the enacted / latest official text (if reintroduced) for the final appropriation and authorized uses.
Bottom line
HB 1129 sought one‑time funding and a structured two‑year study/implementation effort led by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (with possible university partnership) to diagnose and address K–12 attendance problems statewide, culminating in a September 1, 2026 report and potential legislative recommendations. The measure, as presented, failed on second reading (2–88).
