[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6287744,"mediaKeyId","2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304","parentId",2547080,"title","Bill would create interim study of special education funding; advocates request parent representation","audioSeconds",815,"startMs",9053000,"endMs",9868000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304&start=9053&end=9868","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304/thumbnail_9053000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287744/North-Dakota/Bill-would-create-interim-study-of-special-education-funding-advocates-request-parent-representation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287744-fe2d10e4b85982b905a4a100181e3c70/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992329&Signature=cDMem6-~JHNs7Fk15zUh5sYrHi5YUx5t3kL4FMX7O-lUBJhSNPBxjL-Wodzr5fdpCTCTWfBfA6CfcP585U6jm09aIvquKOXTXsq~4aY21BuyCzNHVWZJeWTNP6dk3Nkv6VELziDedTEcCbuxQPOk~EZIpjcD4DT9Cfs1Lg8fgHdHubpvYRg9dM4NQwhJC4wfwFRgr3BGh48ZDZDZ1xEx3D63nHYiwnp8N3MguIaq4ELdUT5137LWUWj1vGUNliN3Wf~tiIkypIxTw82wXmTH08IWs2N~~v8~i8Ew-CDafnTF68-rEp8etdhyI5xI6bvzmG7AOtffkwZIoeS8hFPQ7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 1547 proposes a legislative interim study of special education funding in North Dakota. Representative David Richter (Williston) described the bill as a \"shell study\" to create a committee that will review how special education dollars are distributed, whether the current weighting model best serves districts, and specific issues such as high-cost students, resident placements, Medicaid reimbursements, and other program elements.

Richter explained that North Dakota currently funds special education as a weighting factor applied to a district's total student count rather than as funding tied to identified special education students. He provided fiscal figures referenced in testimony: for the 2024-25 funding formula, roughly $113,000,000 was identified for special education, $24,000,000 for high-needs special education, and about $34,000,000 in federal funding. Richter said there are 32 special education districts in North Dakota with varying structures (some counties combine schools; larger cities may be their own special ed district).

Supporters included Roxanne Romanek (Designer Genes in North Dakota), who urged the committee to add an amendment so a representative from a statewide family support organization be included on the study committee because discussions would include Medicaid reimbursement issues that require parental permission and touch on parental rights.

The bill lays out committee membership, includes legislative and non-legislative members, and lists study topics such as student contacts, high-cost student supports, resident placements, and Medicaid reimbursement.

Committee members discussed the formula mechanics and transparency issues. Representative Richter and witnesses said the study aims to examine whether the state's investment (roughly $184 million annually across state and federal streams, per testimony) is targeted effectively and whether reporting or allocation changes could increase accountability and support for students.

The committee closed the hearing on HB 1547 with no roll-call vote recorded during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 8:58 AM - 11:45 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1547 would create a legislative study committee to examine how North Dakota funds special education, including high-cost students and resident placements; advocates urged adding a parent organization representative to the committee.","taxTitle","Education, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28902,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287748,"Committee hears bill to allow districts discretion to admit four-year-olds past August cutoff",312,7644000,7956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304&start=7644&end=7956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304/thumbnail_7644000.jpg","/articles/6287748/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-bill-to-allow-districts-discretion-to-admit-four-year-olds-past-August-cutoff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287748-d6a1f0c8424b7afa4664e2242fbea1b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992329&Signature=BM5bdZoUh44AA~pqzAW7jWK-Zl3qNxCTj-adPwSLnseJqd7txcXWFuhNC7s3KRQrJyBYhHXH6bMLa9VR4E5CQGPUK9hjuulvQJjXsG-soMagw0x8NUv2yJVwrbgjS-rwNNAQphfjd~ZCqGmnapl7qNFXyPJtjsPe3FFDXSDghnNchsQo6zx9Vy7nTn6p91BK6x-c5UZQWzFGbaIE5F8S8kEQg-dzUAqYgAiDjkKUd-nU7zPSPCEG3FI2JqQc-jepTsGZmI1OfwZN79nhS77AiN~35uGPnCbRKZCEBBQrUuc0UexIDaAHkJDoO6CaCudDWN5prXoGvQ3FTromnfN8Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1497, which would let school districts admit children who do not meet the current August 1 birthday cutoff for four-year-old programs if the district and parent agree and the child passes an approved readiness screening. The allowance would extend admissions discretion through December 1 (House language originally referenced December 31; sponsors said the House settled on December 1).

Representative Roger Mackey, sponsor of HB 1497, said the change was prompted by cases in which children had enrolled, formed relationships in preschool classrooms, and then had to be withdrawn after administrators discovered the students did not meet the cutoff date. Mackey told the committee the bill mirrors existing kindergarten statute provisions that allow district discretion when a child demonstrates readiness.

Dr. (name recorded as) Kopas (representing NDCEEL and constituencies and school administrators) and Superintendent Sherlock Herning of Elgin-New Leipzig testified in support. Dr. Kopas explained that kindergarten already includes an approved readiness screening instrument administered by the operator and suggested the same approach for four-year-old programs; he also said the change would be district discretion and would not force districts to accept additional students if capacity or staffing ratios prevent enrollment. Herning described a local case where twins missed the cutoff by three days; the district had room but could not legally continue their enrollment.

Witnesses and the sponsor emphasized that the change would not automatically advance a child into kindergarten without a separate kindergarten readiness determination in the future.

Committee members asked about assessment instruments, funding implications of expanding four-year-old enrollment, and whether opening the window to December 1 would create excess demand. Dr. Kopas said districts already perform kindergarten readiness screening and that the statute and grant programs (such as the Best in Class grant) provide additional requirements; he noted there is no per-pupil state aid for preschool programs and that many districts depend on grants (for example, a referenced grant level of $30,000 for small programs and $60,000 for larger ones) or local funds to operate preschool.

The committee closed the hearing without a recorded vote and will consider amendments if members request them in committee work.

No committee roll-call action was taken on HB 1497 during this session hearing.","House Bill 1497 would permit school districts to admit four-year-old children who miss the August 1 cutoff into four-year-old preschool programs after a readiness screening, for admissions up to December 1; sponsors framed it as flexibility to avoid disrupting children already enrolled.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287751,"Tenure overhaul bill draws broad testimony; committee hearing closed without a vote",2769,3767000,6536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304&start=3767&end=6536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304/thumbnail_3767000.jpg","/articles/6287751/North-Dakota/Tenure-overhaul-bill-draws-broad-testimony-committee-hearing-closed-without-a-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287751-2ce95cd575dbec1bd2880aaf42ed317b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992329&Signature=dTipAXNinGxo7GhKTyv6bHaFd1LbAbePjuSddsgmry6ZI8FFZBt3QrZJYjEHRFSr8zP8LmQNehD-Y3ZTsgjYZDR6~91ulq9nwpm1adHYYEhOb5qatnyZ1RHF5HhSHGmhuKMKoB8D1EtIFa2D1vwkjhPsxAXgce6RO6zquqInVwPCgaR-KI2bEWiMm1FHMpcs1QpSMOjrLZ4z2IfEocZ5jaMR6flnlJ3Zq7loZeZ1UPsioxUHWdu9PLTbTAP2uRw35mC2Guvfbrbb4gKT1w0yczBXdMLmm2R12hinPmotOLVLXs8TBV68F6RncdwpNCE1HGXLezDahRbfiuMtL-RcMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee closed the hearing on House Bill 1437 after more than two hours of testimony and discussion but did not vote on the measure.

Representative Mike Matzenbacher (District 47) introduced the bill as a clarification and standardization of tenure and post-tenure review procedures across the North Dakota University System (NDUS). The bill sets a timeline requiring institutions to have policies in place by July 1, 2026; it also prescribes a first post-tenure review within three years after enactment and subsequent reviews at least every five years. Matzenbacher said the bill does not eliminate tenure but clarifies procedures, post-tenure review frequency, and how institutions should specify whether positions are tenure-track.

Supporters, including Representative Mike Lefor (District 37), Dr. Megan Salyers (assistant dean at a North Dakota institution), and other faculty members, said the bill creates consistent expectations for post-tenure review and accountability while still allowing institutions flexibility. Dr. Salyers and other witnesses proposed a revision to wording in section 1(d) to ensure review committees include administrative supervisors and allow institutions to choose committee sizes appropriate to their missions. She suggested committee composition should require at least one-third and no more than one-half faculty representation where applicable.

Opponents included Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, Lisa Montpleasure (NDSU Faculty Senate president), and Lisa Johnson (Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, North Dakota University System). They urged a do-not-pass recommendation if the bill retained prescriptive committee-composition language. Their principal objections were that the bill, as drafted, would:

- Prescribe committee composition in a way that could exclude appropriate content experts and established multi-layer review practices; and
- Encroach on the State Board of Higher Education's statutory authority and on institutional autonomy to adopt policies tailored to mission and size.

Johnson and Montpleasure said the State Board and an ad hoc committee had already spent extensive time revising board policies and recommended the legislature defer to the board on committee composition. Johnson also flagged that the bill's wording around timing needs a clarification: the sponsor's amended language should specify \"every five years or more frequently\" to avoid an interpretation allowing very infrequent reviews.

Committee members asked technical questions about definitions, how the proposed timelines would compare to current practice, who would serve on review committees, and the effect on small departments. Matzenbacher said the bill reflects negotiated changes with NDUS and that a final drafting by the Legislative Council could refine language.

The committee closed the hearing without taking a vote. Members indicated potential willingness to consider amended language that removes the prescriptive sentence about committee composition and preserves institutional flexibility while keeping the timeline elements.

No formal motions or votes on HB 1437 were recorded during the hearing.","House Bill 1437 would require institutions to adopt standardized post-tenure review timelines and procedures. Supporters said it creates consistency and accountability; university system representatives and faculty groups urged the committee to remove prescriptive committee-composition language.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287753,"Senate panel advances bill to grant in-state tuition to returning Peace Corps volunteers",1489,211000,1700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304&start=211&end=1700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547080-a55d6f24c7f8dc6e44ebb070e8807304/thumbnail_211000.jpg","/articles/6287753/North-Dakota/Senate-panel-advances-bill-to-grant-in-state-tuition-to-returning-Peace-Corps-volunteers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287753-7fe6f4d14af4e01aefd731ab2f35cbda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992329&Signature=S7Zip4FmWCGV-LL~IuwI1Q0teL6Q16l58xccdlRcpzGBUwQTusLCQJD8t7CEgNyI2pbXSo2LRj6qUP-dqKqONZ4K8EPVJN4iG7jAI0ajNuo7hJ5~IO-VTG42g32nKqGpSs0sax14rjilps3CrR3UWG3nU-AJ6zncoCHA~noNhPmdomqILULlNxQdgZKLxV2e28VCW5wlUhn8EKCBGRF1ocAQjHZ3efoZcr0UnKnBp7lJ4G4lSlE6ZNGhGsb-0TbTpx40TgUQakgGdRQCREICy1uCJ5knRWHMTGBb3vJ-X1KNUFDThKqQpeDXuqjkSy5VetXh6gAMWqplyMIzHtSI6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Senate Education Committee voted unanimously to give House Bill 1529 a do-pass recommendation, a measure that would allow returning Peace Corps volunteers who completed at least two years of federal service to be considered resident students for tuition purposes.

Representative Mary Schneider (R-District 21) introduced the bill, saying it would add returning Peace Corps volunteers to the residency definition found in subsection 2 of section 15-10-19.1 of the Century Code. Schneider said the change would apply only to volunteers themselves, not to spouses or children, and would require volunteers to have completed at least two years of Peace Corps service before qualifying.

The bill supporter testimony included a personal account from Pat Conrad of Bismarck, who described her late husband's three-year Peace Corps assignment in Brazil and urged the committee to recognize the value of returned volunteers. Committee members asked how many people might qualify; Schneider and staff referenced the fiscal note and figures showing a small number of volunteers from nearby states (for example, as of April 2024 there were roughly 2,600 Peace Corps volunteers nationwide with small counts from nearby states). Schneider said the fiscal note estimated the fiscal impact as negligible.

Senators Lim moved a do-pass recommendation; Senator Axman seconded. The committee opened and closed the roll call; the vote was 6 yeas, 0 nays, 0 not voting. Senator Wabamun agreed to carry the bill to the floor.

Supporters said the change would encourage returning volunteers to enroll in graduate and professional programs in North Dakota, help retain people with cross-cultural and technical skills, and act as low-cost university recruitment. Representative Schneider cited other states that have enacted similar provisions and described the provision as an honorific recognition of service and a workforce recruitment tool.

The committee closed the hearing after receiving no opposition testimony and moved the measure forward.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 1529 (resident tuition for returning Peace Corps volunteers) \u0000Motion: do pass; Mover: Senator Lim; Second: Senator Axman; Vote: 6-0; Outcome: passed (referred to floor); Carrier: Senator Wabamun.","The Senate Education Committee voted 6-0 to give House Bill 1529 a \"do pass\" recommendation, which would add returning Peace Corps volunteers who completed at least two years of service to the state\u0000definition of resident student for tuition purposes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would create interim study of special education funding; advocates request parent representation

Committee hears bill to allow districts discretion to admit four-year-olds past August cutoff

Tenure overhaul bill draws broad testimony; committee hearing closed without a vote

Senate panel advances bill to grant in-state tuition to returning Peace Corps volunteers