House Bill 1624proposes to create and enact two new sections in chapter 15.1‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code to establish a program offering free school breakfast and lunch at no cost to students. The bill creates a new School Meals Fund to support this program and includes an appropriation to cover the cost of providing these meals. It also authorizes the transfer of funds into the School Meals Fund to ensure schools receive the necessary resources to implement the no‑cost meal program. Sponsors include members of both the House and Senate, and the bill has progressed through initial readings and committee referral during the 2026 special session.

Affected stakeholdersinclude school districts, school nutrition staff, and food service vendors that supply meals to public schools. School districts will need to adjust budgeting and meal planning to implement free breakfast and lunch for all students, and food suppliers may see increased demand for products and services. Cafeteria management companies and local food distributors could experience changes in revenue streams and contract requirements. Because the program uses public funds and affects state education operations, taxpayers and local government budget planners are indirectly involved,

House Bill 1625amends section 15‑10‑64 of the North Dakota Century Code to authorize the sale of the Ray Richards golf course property. The bill provides statutory authority for the disposition of this specific state‑owned property and includes an appropriation related to the sale, as well as an effective date for when the law would take effect. The change modifies existing code language governing how this state land may be sold, rather than creating a broad new policy.

Business and local economic stakeholders affectedby this bill include developers and real estate investors interested in acquiring and repurposing the golf course property once sold. Hospitality, tourism, and recreation businesses that currently benefit from golf‑related traffic could see changes depending on the future use of the site. Contractors and service providers (construction, landscaping, maintenance) may see opportunities or changes in demand tied to redevelopment or ongoing operations. Local government and tax base considerations could also be impacted if the property moves into private ownership and contributes to taxable property values.

House Bill 1626proposes to amend parts of the North Dakota Century Code that govern the primary residence property tax credit and the early‑payment discount for property taxes. Specifically, it would reenact and revise subdivision d of subsection 1 of section 57‑02‑08.9, section 57‑20‑09, and subsection 1 of section 57‑55‑03, clarifying how the primary residence credit is applied and how the discount for early payment of property tax is calculated or administered. The bill also includes an effective date for the changes.

For business owners, this bill primarily affects those who are property owners, particularly small business owners, landlords, and commercial property holders who might currently qualify for primary residence credits if they occupy part of a property, or who are tracking changes to local property tax administration and payment incentives. Adjustments to how and when credits or discounts are applied could influence cash flow, tax planning, and annual budgeting for any business that owns or occupies real property in North Dakota. Because the bill targets property tax credit rules rather than broad civil or criminal regulations, it does not increase or decrease constitutional liberties.

House Bill 1627 provides an appropriation to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction to support a program that would offer school meals at no cost to eligible students. The bill authorizes funding and sets an effective date for implementation, enabling schools to provide free breakfast and/or lunch to students who qualify under state and federal guidelines. It is progressing through the special session legislative process, having completed initial readings and committee referral in both the House and Senate.

Business owners affected by this bill include school food service vendors and suppliers, who may see increased demand for food products, equipment, and meal delivery services if more meals are provided at no cost. Local distributors, food manufacturers, and logistics providers that already serve school nutrition programs may benefit from expanded purchasing. Cafeteria management companies and staffing agencies could experience changes in contract scopes as schools adjust to a statewide free meals program. The bill does not directly change Constitutional liberties.

Senate Bill 2401updates North Dakota’s physician licensing requirements by mandating that all licensed physicians complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health per renewal cycle. The bill also reaffirms that the medical board may accept national certifications in lieu of standard CE, and allows the board to discipline physicians for noncompliance, including assessing penalties or holding hearings. An online instructional course on state laws related to medical practice must be made available through the board’s website, with content reviewed by the attorney general.

This bill primarily affects physicians licensed in North Dakota, especially those operating independently or in small group practices who may not have dedicated compliance staff. Health-related continuing education providers and organizations that offer nutrition training or metabolic health modules may see new business opportunities. Additionally, the bill signals a broader intent for other licensed health occupation boards to consider similar nutrition-focused CE requirements, potentially impacting dietitians, nurses, chiropractors, and other allied health professionals in the future.

Senate Bill 2402expands the scope of pharmacist practice in North Dakota by formally granting prescriptive authority for certain medications under state board–approved protocols, enabling therapeutic substitution, and recognizing pharmacists’ role in comprehensive medication management. It updates legal definitions to reflect pharmacists’ ability to conduct lab tests, provide vaccinations, modify drug therapy under collaborative agreements, and integrate medication oversight with broader healthcare services. The bill also repeals outdated restrictions on approved lab tests and redefines pharmacist responsibilities in dispensing, administering, and delivering medication.

This legislation modernizes pharmacy practice to better meet patient needs, reduce physician burden, and improve healthcare delivery, especially in rural or underserved areas. Business owners operating pharmacies or healthcare facilities stand to benefit from this expanded autonomy and service range, which may create new revenue opportunities and improve patient outcomes through streamlined medication management and preventative care.

Affected Business Owners: Independent and chain pharmacy owners, healthcare clinics employing pharmacists, rural health providers, urgent care centers, long-term care facilities, and telehealth providers may be directly impacted by these regulatory changes.

Senate Bill 2403modifies North Dakota’s existing medical facility infrastructure loan program, expanding it to include an emergency operating loan program for small, nonprofit hospitals located in cities with fewer than 2,500 residents. It allows these facilities to apply for emergency loans of up to $5 million at interest rates no higher than 2%, with repayment terms not exceeding 11 years. Applicants must submit detailed financials and restructuring plans by March 31, 2026. The bill also outlines requirements for long-term infrastructure loans, including a minimum $1 million project cost, a 2% interest rate, and 25-year repayment terms.

The bill appropriates $10 million from the general fund to the Bank of North Dakota for these loan programs, designating it as one-time funding effective immediately. Affected stakeholders include small-town nonprofit hospitals and healthcare facility administrators, along with construction contractors, medical infrastructure suppliers, and consultants who may benefit from increased project activity. It may also influence local economies where facilities secure funding to sustain or improve operations.

Senate Bill 2404provides one-time funding to two state entities. First, it allocates $1.5 million to the North Dakota Information Technology Department to make state-controlled websites and digital content compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s digital accessibility requirements. Second, it grants $325,000 to the Public Service Commission to support its involvement in federal lawsuit interventions. If those legal expenses exceed the allocation, the PSC may use a pre-approved loan authorization (from HB1008) to cover the shortfall. The bill takes effect immediately upon filing.

Affected business stakeholders include:

• IT and digital accessibility vendors who may contract with the state for ADA compliance upgrades.

• Legal firms or consultants engaged in regulatory or energy-sector litigation.

• Utilities and infrastructure companies, who often fall under PSC oversight and may be involved in or affected by the federal litigation in question.

As a point of information/disclosure, the following House Resolution is also included in this Special Session:

House Concurrent Resolution 3038 is a ceremonial resolution that congratulates the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) on its 175th anniversary of service in the United States. It highlights the YMCA’s origins, contributions to civic engagement and public welfare, and its continued presence in North Dakota communities such as Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot. The resolution acknowledges the YMCA’s role in childcare, health, wellness, and youth programs.

There are no business or regulatory impacts from this resolution. It is symbolic in nature and does not create or change any laws. Affected stakeholders include North Dakota YMCA chapters and their members, who are recognized and honored by this formal legislative gesture.