North DakotaBill would fund education accounts for students outside public schools
The proposed program would let eligible families use state-funded accounts for approved education costs, with deposits based on household income starting in 2026–27.
What it does
Parents of eligible students could use state-funded accounts for approved learning costs. Deposits would begin in the 2026–27 school year and would be larger for households with lower incomes.
Participating nonpublic schools would follow safety and approval rules, have students take learning tests, and send results to the state. The state would publish grouped results and graduation rates after collecting data for three years.
Argument forFamilies could use account money for school, tutoring, or college costs, with larger deposits for households with lower incomes.
Argument againstPublic money could pay for private education while participating schools keep broad freedom from state control, which may limit oversight.
More detail
The proposed program would deposit state money into education accounts for eligible students. Eligible students are North Dakota residents who can attend public school but are not enrolled in public school or homeschool. A student already receiving an account may remain eligible until high school graduation or age 21. A parent must agree to provide instruction in core subjects, keep the student out of public school and homeschool, and use account money only for approved education costs. The bill provides up to $21.7 million from the general fund to implement the program and fund accounts. The account provisions would take effect July 1, 2026, and deposits would begin with the 2026–27 school year.
Participating nonpublic schools would follow program rules, give students learning tests, and send results to the state. These requirements apply to nonpublic schools that participate in the proposed account program. Schools would follow applicable health and safety rules, obtain state approval, and provide receipts for covered costs. They would return money for services not provided if a student leaves the program. The state would publish grouped test results and graduation rates while protecting student privacy. The state would publish test and graduation information after the third year of data collection.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Apr 29Filed with Secretary Of State 04/29Latest
- Apr 25Veto sustained, yeas 45 nays 48
- Apr 25Consideration of Governor's veto
- Apr 24Vetoed by Governor Kelly Armstrong 04/23
- Apr 23Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 23Signed by Speaker
- Apr 23Signed by President
- Apr 22Motion to reconsider failed
- Apr 21Second reading, passed, yeas 49 nays 43Major
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1540. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Concurred
- Apr 17Returned to House (12)
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1540. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 17Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 27 nays 20Major
- Apr 17Amendment failedMinor
- Apr 17Amendment proposed on floorMinor
- Apr 17Amendment adopted
- Apr 17Amendment proposed on floorMinor
- Apr 17Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Apr 16Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 9 6 1Minor
- Apr 4Rereferred to Appropriations
- Apr 4Amendment adopted
- Apr 3Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 4 2 0Minor
- Mar 17Committee Hearing 02:30
- Mar 7Introduced, first reading, referred Education CommitteeMinor
- Feb 26
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1540. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Received from House
- Feb 25Second reading, passed, yeas 51 nays 39Passed Senate
- Feb 25Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Feb 24Reported back amended, do not pass, placed on calendar 19 3 1Minor
- Feb 13Rereferred to Appropriations
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1540. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Reconsidered
- Feb 13Second reading, passed, yeas 49 nays 38Passed House
- Feb 12Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Feb 11Reported back amended, do not pass, placed on calendar 8 6 0Minor
- Feb 5Committee Hearing 02:30
- Jan 20Introduced, first reading, referred Education CommitteeIntroduced
EducationTaxes & Budget