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HB 1609

An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in Commonwealth budget procedures, providing for essential service payments during budget impasse.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marla Brown and 8 co-sponsors

Establishes a state bar apprenticeship as an alternative to law school, letting graduates sit the ND bar after a 4-year degree and 2,000 hours of supervised engagement.

Referred to Appropriations
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Bill Summary · HB 1609

HB 1609 — State Bar Apprenticeship Program (North Dakota) — Summary

Status: Introduced Dec 13, 2024; reported/engrossed; Second reading — failed to pass (Feb 25, 2025: Yeas 20, Nays 70).
Primary sponsors: Representatives VanWinkle, Heilman, Hendrix, D. Johnston, Koppelman, Morton, D. Ruby, Toman; Senators Castaneda, Paulson, Wobbema.

Purpose / Intent

Create an alternative, practice‑based pathway to sit for North Dakota’s bar examination by authorizing the Supreme Court (with the State Board of Law Examiners) to establish and run a supervised apprenticeship program. The intent is to provide a non‑law‑school route to bar eligibility while preserving examination and admission oversight by the judiciary.

Key provisions

  • Authorizes the North Dakota Supreme Court, in cooperation with the State Board of Law Examiners, to establish and implement a “state bar apprenticeship program” as an alternative to obtaining a juris doctor (JD) or equivalent from an ABA‑accredited (or provisionally accredited) law school.
  • Minimum qualifications to be eligible to sit for the bar under the program:
    • Possess a four‑year college degree; and
    • Complete 2,000 hours of supervised engagement under a licensed attorney or licensed tribal advocate within a period not to exceed five years.
  • Supervision and verification:
    • A supervising attorney or licensed tribal advocate must verify an applicant’s supervised engagement by submitting an affidavit to the State Board of Law Examiners.
    • The Board may not require a commencement notice, application, or registration from an applicant before the supervised engagement begins.
  • Alternative pathway: Serving as a state legislator for four or more years also qualifies an applicant to be examined by the State Board of Law Examiners.
  • Admission decision: After considering the Board’s examination results and recommendations (including apprenticeship applicants), the Supreme Court will issue bar admission orders for applicants it determines are entitled to admission.

Who would be affected

  • Prospective lawyers who lack an ABA‑accredited JD but have a bachelor’s degree and can secure supervised legal engagement (including apprenticeships).
  • Licensed attorneys and licensed tribal advocates who would serve as supervisors and bear verification responsibilities.
  • Law schools, legal employers, and the Supreme Court / Board of Law Examiners (administrative responsibility for program design, oversight, standards, and monitoring).
  • Potential benefit to rural, lower‑income, or otherwise non‑traditional applicants seeking a lower‑cost path into the legal profession.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Access/Economic: Could lower financial and access barriers to legal practice and increase workforce diversity.
  • Quality/Regulation: Requires safeguards and effective supervision standards to ensure equivalent training; program design and oversight will be critical to maintain competence and public protection.
  • Administrative burden: The Supreme Court and Board will need to draft, implement, and monitor program rules and affidavits; enforcement and recordkeeping costs are possible.
  • Unclear short‑term effects on bar pass rates or on law school enrollment; those would depend on program design and uptake.

Legislative/timeline notes

  • Introduced Dec 13, 2024; went through committee consideration and engrossment.
  • On Feb 25, 2025, the bill failed to pass second reading in the House (Yeas 20, Nays 70) and therefore did not advance. It may be reintroduced or revised in a future session.

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

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