Legislative Overview ~ April 23, 2025
Today’s House floor session (nearly 2 1/2 hours) was largely consumed by a lengthy debate over the Department of Commerce budget—a huge package that includes high-profile items like funding to replace state drones, an additional $50 million for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, and a provision to allow off-reservation tribal casino development near Grand Forks. With major investments at stake, lawmakers broke the bill into four divisions, passing three of them. However, the full bill will not be voted on until Thursday, April 24th. Meanwhile, over in the Senate, lawmakers tackled key bills with clearer consensus and more alignment on legislative intent.
Here is a summary of what took place during today’s floor sessions:
11 Bills Passed in the Senate and awaiting Governor’s Signature: HB1049, HB1248, HB1308, HB1322, HB1377, HB1535, SB2007, SB2010, SB2213, SB2271, & SB2399. Those that were failed include: SB2156.
11 Bills Passed in the House and awaiting Governor’s Signature: HB1417. Those that were failed include: HB1169.
The Bills we are tracking regarding the business world include:
SB2213: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0425-05000.pdf
This Bill proposes reforms to mathematics education across North Dakota’s public and nonpublic schools. It establishes new licensure requirements for math teachers at the elementary and secondary levels, requiring them to demonstrate competencies in direct and explicit math instruction either through accredited training programs or specific topic mastery. Teachers who do not meet these criteria may receive a provisional license for up to two years. The bill also requires school curricula to be evidence-based, aligned with state standards, and focused on foundational math skills like problem-solving and reasoning.
In addition to teacher qualifications, the bill mandates that school districts provide regular professional development for math educators and implement formative assessments to guide instruction and identify students needing extra support. It also requires schools to adopt research-based intervention programs with supplemental instructional materials. Approval of schools by the superintendent of public instruction would be contingent on the integration of qualified math educators, diagnostic assessments, and evidence-based instruction tools in grades four through eight.
The bill primarily affects teacher preparation programs, educators seeking licensure, school administrators, and students & aims to improve math proficiency by raising instructional standards and aligning teaching practices with research.
~ It will be interesting to follow the saga of SB2018 as it comes to the floor tomorrow. It is definitely a business-related bill as it deals with so many monetary issues for so many and shows us what the State is willing to invest in for the future of North Dakota. Stay tuned. We will bring you the results tomorrow at the conclusion of the floor sessions.
Meanwhile, we ask that you please keep your prayers lifted for Representative Jim Kasper of Fargo, who was hospitalized and in need of intervention. We know our members will heed the call & we thank you.
Jan Wangler, Executive Director 