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SB 2242

AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study relating to institutions of higher education.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Dan Johnston and 5 co-sponsors

Directs a 2025–26 interim study of North Dakota higher education to boost efficiency, affordability, credit transfer, and program quality, with possible implementing legislation.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/20
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Bill Summary · SB 2242

Summary — SB 2242 (Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota)

Title: An Act to provide for a legislative management study relating to institutions of higher education
Introduced: March 11, 2025 — Filed with Secretary of State: March 20, 2025
Status: Enrolled / Filed; study to be conducted during the 2025–26 interim

Purpose / Intent

SB 2242 directs the Legislative Management to consider and, if selected, carry out a formal interim study of the state institutions of higher education under the State Board of Higher Education. The study is intended to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, collaboration, affordability, transferability of credit, program design, and overall quality and competitiveness of the state higher‑education system — and to develop recommendations (including draft legislation) for the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.

Required Study Topics

The bill requires the study to include (final engrossed version):

  • Methods to promote efficiency and collaboration among state institutions.
  • Consideration of statewide dual‑credit expansion to develop standard three‑year bachelor’s degree programs.
  • An analysis of student costs for tuition and fees.
  • Consideration of a system of uniform transcripts and waiving fees to transfer credits within the state system.
  • Consideration of feasibility and desirability of consolidating colleges/universities and implementing university satellite campuses.
  • Research on competitiveness among state institutions.
  • An analysis of the quality of education provided at each state institution.

Study Committee Composition

If the Legislative Management selects the study, it shall appoint a study committee with the following membership:

  • Voting members (appointed by Legislative Management):

    • 3 Senators (2 from the largest Senate party; 1 from the second largest)
    • 3 House members (2 from the largest House party; 1 from the second largest)
    • 1 member of the Legislative Assembly to serve as committee chair

  • Nonvoting members:

    • Chair of the State Board of Higher Education
    • Student representative of the State Board of Higher Education
    • Chancellor of the North Dakota University System (or designee)
    • 1 representative of K–12 education
    • 1 representative each from manufacturing, health care, agriculture, and energy industries

Timeline / Procedural Aspects

  • Study period: 2025–26 interim.
  • Reporting: Legislative Management must report findings, recommendations, and any implementing legislation to the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.
  • Legislative action (enrollment vote record shown in materials): Senate vote 47–0; House vote 89–4. Filed with Secretary of State on 03/20/2025.

Who would be affected

  • Public institutions under the State Board of Higher Education (colleges, universities).
  • Students (tuition/fee analysis, transfer pathways, dual‑credit/three‑year degree proposals).
  • Faculty and institutional administrators (efficiency, consolidation, satellite campus considerations).
  • K–12 partners and industry stakeholders (dual credit, workforce alignment).
  • State policymakers (potential follow‑up legislation implementing study recommendations).

Potential Impact

The study could produce policy options leading to:
- Expanded dual‑credit and accelerated-degree pathways (3‑year bachelor’s).
- Improved credit transfer (uniform transcripts, waived transfer fees).
- Institutional restructuring or consolidation and use of satellite campuses.
- Recommendations to reduce student costs and improve institutional competitiveness and educational quality.
Any concrete policy change would require separate implementing legislation submitted to the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.

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

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