North Dakota 69-2025 Assembly Status: Enacted 4 R cosponsors

HB 1497 — Relating to age requirements for an approved four‑year old program; and eligibility for the best in class program.

Last action — Filed with Secretary Of State 03/27

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 20, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong (Republican) on March 28, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 80% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    1 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (4 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 50-11.1-21 and section 50-11.1-23 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to age requirements for an approved four-year old program; and eligibility for the best in class program.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

81 added · 38 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to Bill HB 1497 primarily clarify the age requirements for enrollment in approved four-year-old educational programs. Specifically, while the original bill stated that children must be four by August first, it now includes a provision allowing children who turn four by December first to enroll based on their developmental readiness and a request from the school district. This change aims to provide more flexibility for families and ensure that children's individual developmental needs are considered when determining their readiness for school.

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25.1192.04000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota SECOND ENGROSSMENT REENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO.
Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota In Regular Session Commencing Tuesday, January 7, 2025 HOUSE BILL NO.
1497 Introduced by Representatives Maki, Marschall, Monson, Jonas Senator Schaible A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 50-11.1-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to age requirements for an approved four-year old program;
1497 (Representatives Maki, Marschall, Monson, Jonas) (Senator Schaible) AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 50-11.1-21 and section 50-11.1-23 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to age requirements for an approved four-year old program;
and to declare an emergency.
and eligibility for the best in class program.
All fees collected under this section must be paid to the department and Page No.
All fees collected under this section must be paid to the department and must be used to defray the cost of investigating, inspecting, and evaluating applications for approval;
1 25.1192.04000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly must be used to defray the cost of investigating, inspecting, and evaluating applications for approval;
EMERGENCY.
AMENDMENT.
This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
Section 50-11.1-23 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
Page No.
50-11.1-23.
2 25.1192.04000
Eligibility for best in class program.
1.
An approved four-year old program, federally funded head start program, or early childhood program may submit, in the form and manner prescribed by the department, an application to the department under section 50-11.1-22, if the provider certifies to the department the provider:
a.
Operates an approved four-year old program, federally funded head start program, or early childhood program in this state;
b.
Operates a program for children who have reached four years of age before August first in the year of enrollment, unless otherwise provided in subdivision d of subsection 1 of section 50-11.1-21;
H.
B.
NO.
1497 - PAGE 2 c.
Operates a program that has a duration of at least four hundred hours over a period of at least thirty-two consecutive weeks;
d.
Incorporates within the program at least ten hours of research-based family engagement;
e.
Has been determined to meet the standards and expectations of no less than step three in the North Dakota early childhood quality improvement system;
has met the standards and expectations of a nationally recognized early childhood accrediting entity;
has met the federal performance standards for head start;
or has obtained approval or certification from the department of public instruction;
f.
Admits children of all learning abilities;
g.
Admits children who receive assistance from the child care assistance program;
and h.
Operates in compliance with the program requirements, including:
(1) Complying with requirements related to qualifications, training, and professional development of staff delivering services in the best in class program;
and (2) Adhering to expectations established by the department related to best in class program monitoring, operation, and oversight.
2.
The department may distribute funds under this section to approved applicants.
3.
The department may recapture funds from an awarded program that is found by the department to be out of compliance with requirements established for the best in class program.
4.
Show all 54 changed rows (14 more)
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The requirements of chapter 54-44.4 do not apply to the selection of a recipient, award, or payments made under this section.
H.
B.
NO.
1497 - PAGE 3 ____________________________ ____________________________ Speaker of the House President of the Senate ____________________________ ____________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Secretary of the Senate This certifies that the within bill originated in the House of Representatives of the Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota and is known on the records of that body as House Bill No.
1497.
House Vote:
Yeas 79 Nays 14 Absent 1 Senate Vote:
Yeas 28 Nays 19 Absent 0 ____________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Received by the Governor at ________M.
on _____________________________________, 2025.
Approved at ________M.
on __________________________________________________, 2025.
____________________________ Governor Filed in this office this ___________day of _______________________________________, 2025, at ________ o’clock ________M.
____________________________ Secretary of State
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Action History

  1. Filed with Secretary Of State 03/27

  2. Signed by Governor 03/26

  3. Sent to Governor

  4. Signed by Speaker

  5. Signed by President

  6. Second reading, passed, yeas 79 nays 14

  7. Concurred

  8. Returned to House (12)

  9. Emergency clause failed

  10. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 28 nays 19

  11. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

  12. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 4 1 1

  13. Committee Hearing 11:00

  14. Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Education Committee

  15. Received from House

  16. Second reading, passed, yeas 74 nays 13, Emergency clause carried

  17. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

  18. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 2 1

  19. Committee Hearing 02:30

  20. Rereferred to Education

  21. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

  22. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 8 4 2

  23. Committee Hearing 03:00

  24. Introduced, first reading, referred Education Committee

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 143 not signed on · 19 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (143)

143 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 143 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Final Passage

Passed 79 Yea · 14 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 681400
Democratic 10001
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 791401
% of votes cast 84%15%0%1%
How each member voted (94)
Member Party Vote
Olson — Yea
Brown, Collette Democratic Yea
Conmy, Liz Democratic Yea
Davis, Jayme Democratic Not Voting
Dobervich, Gretchen Democratic Yea
Finley-DeVille, Lisa Democratic Yea
Foss, Austin Democratic Yea
Hager, LaurieBeth Democratic Yea
Hanson, Karla Rose Democratic Yea
Ista, Zachary Democratic Yea
Mitskog, Alisa Democratic Yea
Schneider, Mary Democratic Yea
Anderson, Bert Republican Yea
Anderson, Dick Republican Yea
Anderson, Karen A. Republican Yea
Bahl, Landon Republican Yea
Beltz, Mike Republican Yea
Berg, Mike Republican Yea
Bolinske, Macy Republican Yea
Bosch, Glenn Republican Yea
Brandenburg, Mike Republican Yea
Brown, TJ Republican Yea
Christianson, Nels Republican Nay
Dockter, Jason Republican Yea
Dressler, Ty Republican Nay
Fegley, Clayton Republican Yea
Fisher, Jay Republican Yea
Frelich, Kathy Republican Yea
Grindberg, Karen Republican Yea
Grueneich, Jim Republican Yea
Hagert, Jared C. Republican Yea
Hatlestad, Patrick R. Republican Yea
Hauck, Dori Republican Nay
Headland, Craig Republican Yea
Heilman, Matthew Republican Yea
Heinert, Pat D. Republican Yea
Henderson, Donna Republican Nay
Hendrix, Jared Republican Nay
Holle, Dawson Republican Yea
Hoverson, Jeff Republican Nay
Johnson, Jorin Republican Yea
Johnston, Daniel Republican Nay
Jonas, Jim Republican Yea
Karls, Karen Republican Yea
Kasper, Jim Republican Yea
Kempenich, Keith Republican Yea
Kiefert, Dwight Republican Yea
Klemin, Lawrence R. Republican Yea
Koppelman, Ben Republican Yea
Lefor, Mike Republican Yea
Longmuir, Donald W. Republican Yea
Louser, Scott Republican Yea
Maki, Roger A. Republican Yea
Marschall, Andrew Republican Yea
Martinson, Bob Republican Yea
McLeod, Carrie Republican Yea
Meier, Lisa Republican Yea
Monson, David Republican Yea
Morton, Desiree Republican Nay
Motschenbacher, Mike Republican Yea
Murphy, Eric J. Republican Yea
Nathe, Mike Republican Yea
Nehring, Dennis Republican Nay
Nelson, Jon O. Republican Yea
Novak, Anna S. Republican Yea
O'Brien, Emily Republican Yea
Olson, Jeremy Republican Yea
Osowski, Doug Republican Yea
Ostlie, Mitch Republican Yea
Porter, Todd Republican Yea
Pyle, Brandy L. Republican Yea
Richter, David Republican Yea
Rios, Nico Republican Nay
Rohr, Karen M. Republican Yea
Ruby, Dan Republican Yea
Ruby, Matthew Republican Yea
Sanford, Mark Republican Yea
Satrom, Bernie Republican Yea
Schatz, Mike Republican Nay
Schauer, Austen Republican Yea
Schreiber-Beck, Cynthia Republican Yea
Steiner, Vicky Republican Yea
Stemen, Gregory Republican Yea
Swiontek, Steve Republican Yea
Toman, Nathan Republican Yea
Tveit, Bill Republican Yea
VanWinkle, Lori Republican Nay
Vetter, Steve Republican Yea
Vigesaa, Don Republican Yea
Vollmer, Daniel R. Republican Nay
Wagner, Scott Republican Yea
Warrey, Jonathan Republican Yea
Weisz, Robin Republican Yea
Wolff, Christina Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Final Passage

Passed 74 Yea · 13 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 641106
Democratic 9200
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 741306
% of votes cast 80%14%0%6%
How each member voted (93)
Member Party Vote
Olson — Yea
Brown, Collette Democratic Nay
Conmy, Liz Democratic Yea
Davis, Jayme Democratic Yea
Dobervich, Gretchen Democratic Yea
Finley-DeVille, Lisa Democratic Yea
Foss, Austin Democratic Yea
Hager, LaurieBeth Democratic Nay
Hanson, Karla Rose Democratic Yea
Ista, Zachary Democratic Yea
Mitskog, Alisa Democratic Yea
Schneider, Mary Democratic Yea
Anderson, Bert Republican Yea
Anderson, Dick Republican Yea
Anderson, Karen A. Republican Yea
Bahl, Landon Republican Yea
Beltz, Mike Republican Yea
Berg, Mike Republican Yea
Bolinske, Macy Republican Not Voting
Bosch, Glenn Republican Yea
Brandenburg, Mike Republican Yea
Christianson, Nels Republican Yea
Dockter, Jason Republican Yea
Dressler, Ty Republican Nay
Fegley, Clayton Republican Yea
Fisher, Jay Republican Yea
Frelich, Kathy Republican Nay
Grindberg, Karen Republican Yea
Grueneich, Jim Republican Yea
Hagert, Jared C. Republican Yea
Hatlestad, Patrick R. Republican Yea
Hauck, Dori Republican Nay
Headland, Craig Republican Yea
Heilman, Matthew Republican Yea
Heinert, Pat D. Republican Yea
Henderson, Donna Republican Nay
Hendrix, Jared Republican Yea
Holle, Dawson Republican Yea
Hoverson, Jeff Republican Nay
Johnson, Jorin Republican Yea
Johnston, Daniel Republican Yea
Jonas, Jim Republican Yea
Karls, Karen Republican Yea
Kasper, Jim Republican Yea
Kempenich, Keith Republican Yea
Kiefert, Dwight Republican Yea
Klemin, Lawrence R. Republican Not Voting
Koppelman, Ben Republican Yea
Lefor, Mike Republican Not Voting
Longmuir, Donald W. Republican Yea
Louser, Scott Republican Yea
Maki, Roger A. Republican Yea
Marschall, Andrew Republican Yea
Martinson, Bob Republican Yea
McLeod, Carrie Republican Yea
Meier, Lisa Republican Yea
Monson, David Republican Nay
Morton, Desiree Republican Nay
Motschenbacher, Mike Republican Yea
Murphy, Eric J. Republican Yea
Nathe, Mike Republican Yea
Nehring, Dennis Republican Nay
Nelson, Jon O. Republican Yea
Novak, Anna S. Republican Yea
O'Brien, Emily Republican Yea
Olson, Jeremy Republican Yea
Osowski, Doug Republican Yea
Ostlie, Mitch Republican Not Voting
Porter, Todd Republican Yea
Pyle, Brandy L. Republican Yea
Richter, David Republican Yea
Rios, Nico Republican Nay
Rohr, Karen M. Republican Nay
Ruby, Dan Republican Yea
Ruby, Matthew Republican Not Voting
Sanford, Mark Republican Yea
Satrom, Bernie Republican Yea
Schatz, Mike Republican Yea
Schauer, Austen Republican Yea
Schreiber-Beck, Cynthia Republican Yea
Steiner, Vicky Republican Nay
Stemen, Gregory Republican Yea
Swiontek, Steve Republican Yea
Toman, Nathan Republican Yea
Tveit, Bill Republican Yea
VanWinkle, Lori Republican Yea
Vetter, Steve Republican Yea
Vigesaa, Don Republican Yea
Vollmer, Daniel R. Republican Yea
Wagner, Scott Republican Yea
Warrey, Jonathan Republican Yea
Weisz, Robin Republican Yea
Wolff, Christina Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1497 do?
AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 50-11.1-21 and section 50-11.1-23 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to age requirements for an approved four-year old program; and eligibility for the best in class program.
Who sponsors HB 1497?
HB 1497 is sponsored by Maki, Roger A. (Republican), Jonas, Jim (Republican), Marschall, Andrew (Republican), Monson, David (Republican), and Sen. Schaible, Donald.
What is the current status of HB 1497?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 20, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1497?
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