Bill
SB 2340
The bill directs a 2025–26 interim study to identify changes needed to improve North Dakota fire-service coordination, capacity, training, oversight, and funding, including regiona
Status and origin
- Title: An Act to provide for a legislative management study to evaluate the evolving fire service operational and response needs of the state.
- Introduced: March 12, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State: April 23, 2025. (Legislative history in the provided materials shows committee activity, floor votes, and enrollment; the bill was considered by both chambers.)
- Note: The packet provided also contains unrelated language from an Illinois SB2340 concerning K–12 transfer reporting; this summary addresses the fire-service study bill (the title shown above).
Purpose and intent
- Direct the Legislative Management to conduct a comprehensive study (during the 2025–26 interim) of North Dakota’s fire-service operations and response model, with the goal of identifying changes needed to improve coordination, capacity, training, oversight, and fiscal support.
Key provisions
- Mandated study topics (non‑exclusive):
- Coordination of existing state resources to improve organization, distribution, mobilization, training, and oversight of fire emergency services.
- Feasibility and design of fire-service regional response teams.
- Establishing authority for response, standardized training, wildland‑urban interface fire prevention codes, and emergency response operational roles/initiatives.
- Evaluation of staffing capacity: cross‑training, backfill for extended/complex incidents, minimum training requirements, staffing authorities, benefits, equipment, and facility needs.
- Identification and implementation options to restructure fiscal support for state and local fire services — specifically options to reduce reliance on local property taxes.
- Review of changes to state statutes and administrative rules required to implement a unified/regional response model.
- Consultation requirements:
- The study must include input from the State Fire Marshal, North Dakota Firefighters Association, North Dakota Forest Service, Department of Emergency Services, North Dakota Fire Chiefs Association, Department of Career and Technical Education, and other stakeholders.
- Administrative tools:
- Legislative Management may hire an external consultant to conduct or assist with the study.
- Reporting:
- Legislative Management must report findings and recommendations — including any draft legislation needed to implement recommendations — to the 70th Legislative Assembly.
Who is affected
- State policymakers and agencies (State Fire Marshal, Emergency Services, ND Forest Service, CTE) that will participate in and act on recommendations.
- Local fire departments and fire chiefs across the state, especially if new regional structures, training standards, codes, or funding models are recommended.
- Municipalities and property taxpayers if fiscal restructuring recommendations alter local funding responsibilities.
Timeline and next steps
- Study period: 2025–26 interim.
- Final deliverable: Report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the 70th Legislative Assembly (next regular session following the interim).
- Potential outcomes: statutory and rule changes, creation of regional response teams, statewide training/standards, and proposals for new funding mechanisms.
Potential impact
- Short term: improved information-sharing among stakeholders and identification of capability gaps. Possible consultant costs or appropriation requests to support the study.
- Medium/long term: depending on recommendations and legislative action, significant organizational change (regional teams), standardized training/codes, and shifts in how fire services are funded — possibly reducing local property-tax dependence for fire service financing.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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