North Dakota Senate Bill SB2212

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/25
• Refer: 1/15/25
• Report DNP: 2/13/25

Caption

The university system capital building fund pool; to provide for a transfer; and to provide legislative intent.

Impact

The changes proposed in SB2212 significantly affect the funding mechanisms of higher education institutions in North Dakota. By establishing new requirements for matching funds, the bill encourages institutions to seek other sources of funding, potentially fostering a more diverse funding landscape. Furthermore, the creation of specific allocation amounts for different colleges and universities indicates a structured approach to funding that may lead to more equitable financial support across the state's academic institutions.

Summary

Senate Bill 2212 seeks to amend several sections of the North Dakota Century Code to regulate the University System Capital Building Fund. Primarily, the bill updates the matching fund requirements for capital projects at various institutions under the state board of higher education. This encompasses both tier II and tier III capital building funds, where institutions must provide specific amounts of matching funds in order to receive state allocations. The intention is to enhance the financial responsibility of institutions while allowing them to access additional funding from the state for capital projects.

Contention

While the bill aims to streamline the funding process and set clear expectations on matching funds, it may generate debate concerning the adequacy of state funding for under-resourced institutions. Critics may argue that increasing the financial burden of matching funds could disproportionately affect smaller colleges that lack extensive financial resources, potentially widening the gap in educational opportunities between institutions. Thus, the balance between fostering institutional self-sufficiency and ensuring equitable access to state funding is likely to be at the forefront of discussions surrounding this legislation.