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SB 2149

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-36-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the school construction assistance revolving loan fund; and to declare an emergency.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Claire Cory and 4 co-sponsors

The bill preserves and funds low‑interest school construction loans via the Bank of North Dakota, including $20M for Air Force base projects and new eligibility, terms, and reporti

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/25
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2149

SB 2149 — Summary (North Dakota)

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1‑36‑08, North Dakota Century Code — School Construction Assistance Revolving Loan Fund; emergency measure

Purpose and intent

The bill updates eligibility, application, and program rules for the School Construction Assistance Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Bank of North Dakota (BND). Its aim is to continue and clarify the availability of low‑interest loans for school construction and remodeling projects and to set specific provisions for projects located on Air Force bases. The act contains an emergency clause to make the changes effective immediately upon enactment.

Key provisions

  • Continued structure and funding

    • Confirms the fund as a special revolving loan fund administered by BND consisting of legislative appropriations/transfers, earnings, and loan repayments.
    • Moneys in the fund and repayments are appropriated to BND on a continuing basis to provide low‑interest loans and pay administrative costs.

  • Eligibility & application requirements (general)

    • For non‑Air Force projects: districts must propose new construction/remodeling with cost ≥ $1,000,000 and expected useful life ≥ 30 years; obtain Superintendent of Public Instruction approval; publish/website disclosure of proposed millage and dollar increase per $1,000 valuation; receive bond authorization per chapter 21‑03; and submit a completed BND application.
    • For Air Force base projects: same cost/life thresholds, Superintendent approval, and required federal authorizations and funding commitments.

  • Air Force base matching availability

    • The Superintendent shall designate $20,000,000 of fund dollars (until June 30, 2027, or until a loan is made) specifically for loans that provide matching funds for construction on Air Force bases.

  • Prioritization and approval

    • Applications are prioritized using criteria including student occupancy/academic need, age of existing buildings, safety/vulnerability‑based design, community support, cost, and other criteria set by the Superintendent after interim committee consultation.

  • Loan terms, limits and refinancing

    • Interest rate may not exceed 2% per year.
    • Standard term is 20 years unless a shorter term is requested.
    • Maximums:
    • Projects < $75M: max loan $15M (but if a district’s unobligated general fund balance exceeds statutory limit, loan cannot exceed 80% of project cost and maximum $12M).
    • Projects ≥ $75M: max loan $30M (or, with excess unobligated balance, up to 80% of cost and maximum $24M).
    • Air Force base projects: lesser of 20% of project cost or $20M.
    • Districts may apply to refinance callable bonds with the revolving loan fund.

  • Administrative and oversight

    • BND may adopt policies/guidelines and may retain up to 0.5% of interest payments as a servicing fee to cover administration.
    • Principal and interest repayments are returned to the fund.
    • The fund must be audited annually under section 6‑09‑29; audit costs paid from the fund.

Who is affected

  • Primary: North Dakota K‑12 school districts seeking construction or major remodeling financing, including those serving or located on Air Force bases.
  • Secondary: Bank of North Dakota (program administration), local taxpayers (millage notices/authorization process), and state oversight entities (audit, Superintendent of Public Instruction).

Timeline / procedural aspects

  • The act declares an emergency, indicating it takes effect immediately on enactment (per the bill’s emergency clause).
  • The $20 million Air Force base designation is explicitly time‑limited (through June 30, 2027, or until used for a loan).

Note: The materials provided also contained other states’ bill text (Illinois SB2149) unrelated to the North Dakota measure; this summary addresses the North Dakota SB 2149 (NDCC §15.1‑36‑08) only.

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

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