The Results Of The Special Session Are As Follows:
The Following Bills Were Successfully Submitted For Final Passage and Sent For The Governor’s Signature Are:
House Bill 1621 This Bill requires that the presidential physical fitness test be included as part of physical education courses in elementary, middle, and high schools in North Dakota. This means students in K‑12 public schools would be expected to take the presidential fitness test—a series of physical exercises measuring strength, endurance, and flexibility—as part of their graded PE curriculum.
The bill’s main affected stakeholders would be school districts, administrators, and PE teachers, who would need to adjust curriculum and instruction to include the test. Equipment and training resources may also be required, affecting school budgets and vendors supplying fitness/testing materials. Students and families are indirectly affected by changes in school physical education requirements.
House Bill 1622 This Bill adopts the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact into North Dakota law. The compact is an agreement among participating states that allows physician assistants (PAs) who hold a license in one member state to practice in other member states without obtaining additional separate licenses. To implement this, the bill would create a new chapter (chapter 43‑17.5) in the North Dakota Century Code, update existing PA licensing requirements, and specify which PAs are eligible to operate under the compact. It also adjusts related statutory sections to align with compact membership and provides an effective date for the changes.
This Bill primarily affects health care providers and clinical employers. Physician assistants licensed in other compact states would have greater flexibility to provide services in North Dakota, potentially making it easier for clinics, hospitals, and medical practices to recruit and retain PA staff. This could benefit rural or underserved areas with provider shortages. Health care facilities and staffing agencies may need to revise hiring and credentialing procedures to accommodate compact licenses.
House Bill 1623 This Bill provides an appropriation of up to $397,873,940 in federal funds to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services for the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program for the period beginning with the bill’s effective date and ending June 30, 2027. The bill allows the Office of Management and Budget to transfer funds between this appropriation and related line items in House Bill 1012 at the request of DHHS, with some transfers exempt from certain statutory limits. It also requires the department to notify the legislative council of any transfers made under the exemptions provided.
This bill primarily affects health care providers and rural medical facilities that participate in or benefit from the federal rural health transformation initiative, as the funding supports programs designed to strengthen rural health care delivery. Hospitals, clinics, and community health centers in rural areas could see expanded resources or program opportunities tied to these federal grants. Additionally, health care administrators and workforce planners will need to coordinate with DHHS on implementation and reporting. The bill does not change constitutional liberties.
In North Dakota, this could mean:
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New payment models for rural hospitals to stabilize finances even with lower patient volumes
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Expanded telehealth or mobile health services to reach remote populations
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Support for partnerships between hospitals, clinics, public health units, and long-term care facilities
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Infrastructure improvements and workforce support to retain providers in underserved areas
Affected business owners include:
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Independent rural hospitals and critical access hospitals
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Private medical practices, clinics, and telehealth service providers
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Long-term care facilities and home health providers
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Vendors supporting rural health infrastructure such as medical equipment suppliers, IT services, and workforce recruiters
These businesses may benefit from expanded funding, collaboration opportunities, and more stable reimbursement mechanisms—but may also need to adapt to new reporting requirements, technology upgrades, and performance-based funding models.
House Bill 1625 This Bill amends 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 1626 This Bill amends 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.
Senate Bill 2401 This Bill updates 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 2402 This Bill expands 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 2403 This Bill modifies 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 2404 This Bill provides 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:
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IT and digital accessibility vendors who may contract with the state for ADA compliance upgrades.
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Legal firms or consultants engaged in regulatory or energy-sector litigation.
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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.
The only bill that failed was HB1624
This Bill dealt with providing tax dollar for free breakfast and lunch for ALL public school students, whether they dine at the school or not. I’m told there is an initiated measure on the subject already gathering signatures, so the voters will be still be asked whether or not they want to provide these school lunches (free meals already included for those who qualify) or if they’d prefer to enjoy the property tax savings. So there are decisions yet to be made on this somewhat controversial subject.
~ I appreciate you following our updates on the North Dakota Legislature’s Special Session. What affects one of us ultimately affects all of us—as residents, business owners, and property owners across the state. By learning and working together, we strengthen our communities and better prepare our businesses and families to thrive.
It’s been an honor to track and share this information with you. I invite you to stay connected through our daily business briefings, federal roundups, and newsletters—all designed to keep you informed and empowered. Check back often for upcoming events, and please share your thoughts with us here or by emailing me directly at [email protected].
Respectfully Submitted,
Jan Wangler, Executive Director