The North Dakota House Education Committee convened on March 18, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 2400, which focuses on educational savings accounts (ESAs) and their implications for homeschooling families and state education funding. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders, highlighting concerns about the bill's potential impact on educational choices and state finances.

The first speaker, representing homeschooling families, raised issues regarding the restrictions imposed by the ESA program, particularly the limitations on curriculum choices when using funds from the class wallet. They noted that while discounts are available for private payers, these benefits may not extend to those utilizing ESA funds. The speaker expressed concern over the long wait times for reimbursements, particularly for online orders, which could divert funds from local businesses to larger corporations like Amazon. They also cited alarming cost overruns in similar programs in other states, suggesting that North Dakota could face similar financial burdens if the bill is enacted.

Following this, Adam Rose provided further opposition to the bill, emphasizing that many educational expenses outlined in the legislation are already covered by existing state programs. He criticized the bill for potentially undermining more effective programs, such as free ACT testing and school lunches, which serve all North Dakota students. Rose argued that the introduction of ESAs could lead to increased costs for vocational classes, which are currently funded through local taxes and available to all students, regardless of their educational funding source.

Rose also addressed the broader concept of school choice, asserting that it already exists in North Dakota through homeschooling and other options. He contended that the bill represents a shift from promoting educational freedom to merely reallocating state funds, which could lead to additional costs for families opting into the ESA program. He cautioned against the influence of global mandates on local education policies, urging committee members to prioritize the interests of North Dakota families over external pressures.

The meeting concluded without any immediate resolutions, but the discussions underscored the complexities surrounding the proposed ESA program and its potential ramifications for educational funding and family choices in North Dakota. The committee is expected to continue deliberating on the bill and its implications in future sessions.