AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 15-39.1-05.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the composition of the teachers' fund for retirement board.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Kyle Davison and 5 co-sponsors

SBTRT board members are now appointed from specific education groups: two active teachers, one active administrator, two retired teachers, plus ex officio Treasurer and Superintend

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/31

Purpose

SB 2134 revises the statutory membership composition of the Board of Trustees that sets policy for the Teachers' Fund for Retirement (TFTR). The change specifies how several appointed trustees are selected (by nomination lists from specified education organizations) and clarifies membership qualifications (active employment/retired status) and continuity requirements.

Key provisions

Amends subsection 1 of NDCC § 15‑39.1‑05.1 to specify the board makeup and nomination sources.

Governor-appointed members (from lists of three nominees each):

Two members nominated by North Dakota United — must be actively employed as full‑time elementary or secondary teachers (not classified as school administrators). If such an appointee terminates that employment, they may not continue to serve.
One member nominated by the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders — must be an actively employed full‑time school administrator. Termination of that employment ends board service.
Two members nominated by the North Dakota Retired Teachers Association — must be retired members of the fund.

Includes the State Treasurer (or a designee) and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (or a designee) as board members (ex officio).

Who is affected

Teachers and administrators in North Dakota public schools (representation on the TFTR board).

Retired members of the Teachers' Fund for Retirement.

The Governor’s appointment process (constrained to lists of three nominees from designated organizations).

The TFTR board’s composition and, by extension, governance and policy-setting for the statewide teachers’ retirement fund.

Procedural / timeline aspects

Bill text amends NDCC § 15‑39.1‑05.1, subsection 1.

Legislative actions in the record: committee consideration and amendments in January 2025; unanimous Senate passage (47–0) and House passage (75–9); enrolled and transmitted to the Governor; recorded as signed by the Governor on 03/27/2025 and filed with the Secretary of State on 03/31/2025.

Sponsors listed in the North Dakota materials: Senators Roers, Davison, Dever; Representatives Dockter, Schauer, Stemen.

Likely impacts / considerations

Codifies formal role for two major educator organizations and the retired teachers association in nominating board members, increasing organized stakeholder representation in TFTR governance.

Ensures appointed classroom teachers and administrators serving on the board are actively employed (no “holdover” after employment ends), which may maintain current-practice perspectives but could shorten continuity for appointees who leave employment.

Preserves ex officio membership for key state fiscal and education officials (Treasurer, Superintendent).

Note: The provided document set included an unrelated Illinois SB2134 text; the summary above addresses the North Dakota SB 2134 materials.

Bill