[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6127369,"mediaKeyId","2663487-1ff83f9c5e64912bc04be2759a4301cd","parentId",2663487,"title","Committee adopts narrow amendment to AED plan bill after broad testimony on school cardiac response plans","audioSeconds",6473,"startMs",4091000,"endMs",10564000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663487-1ff83f9c5e64912bc04be2759a4301cd&start=4091&end=10564","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663487-1ff83f9c5e64912bc04be2759a4301cd/thumbnail_4091000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127369/North-Dakota/Committee-adopts-narrow-amendment-to-AED-plan-bill-after-broad-testimony-on-school-cardiac-response-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127369-4cc05c43b31b7e51b595e7647c6908fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773707712&Signature=EWr-GC5EgZLLBT2nabzN9bz5L0CRCJse4pIEl6CABPqNGKVT0fwyFG1-3KD2VEjgNftyHajJmT-05mAaeVSzzoU-sH1CYchxC1hgbO28sNOilBPukYM84WAzN2QTGLac1u6EEtbzrBSxRz7~HkB1wRXww1gnbRRVj7x5LbUR1GJvsff8AzpfdXwbrDIqJi-pdRtnWB8kvAFoqSvqXw0GMj9k6g8hL~IsXhvaBhe5aHp9QZHp9qePb-KbZVqNf7cZFJZLwlHMe32hyRe0ACduaQtLqbCnEjgOdoyJZhXMVt2uABqo-SY5ZFRfyBn0gUdTxDEBQln3uu6G5myD~QtR9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 13 63, a proposal to require cardiac emergency response plans (SERPs) and accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at schools and school‑sponsored events, drew broad support from health organizations, educators and parents during a Senate Education Committee hearing.

Representative Lisa Meyer, the bill sponsor, told the committee the bill requires public and nonpublic schools and athletic events to adopt cardiac emergency response plans and implement drills; she said the legislation was developed with input from the American Heart Association and aims to save lives by ensuring consistent planning and AED preparedness.

Amy Heuer (retired teacher and volunteer with the American Heart Association) described multiple emergencies she has encountered in schools and urged the committee to adopt a SERP requirement so that schools ‘‘have a plan in place’’ and staff understand AED location and responsibilities. Mike Cromody, testifying for the American Heart Association, told the committee the association can provide templates and implementation guidance; he noted 10 states have statutory policies for SERPs in schools and urged a do‑pass recommendation.

Committee discussion focused on a statutory requirement in the bill that each AED be “available in an unlocked location that allows the automated external defibrillator to be retrieved and placed on an individual experiencing cardiac arrest in fewer than 3 minutes.” Senators raised concerns about strict liability if facilities are large or events occur off‑site (for example, golf courses, cross‑country courses or civic auditoriums). To address those concerns the committee adopted an amendment from Senator Tim Axman to add the words “when circumstances reasonably permit” after the three‑minute phrase; the amendment passed 6‑0. Axman said the additional phrase would give local planners reasonable flexibility for venue‑specific circumstances.

Witnesses described implementation best practices: identify an on‑site cardiac response team, post AED locations, provide CPR/AED training for staff and practice response drills that include local EMS. Amy Huer and Michelle Tipton (an EMS instructor and parent who lost a child to sudden cardiac arrest) emphasized the 3‑to‑5‑minute window as the clinically important response range and said the statutory goal is to encourage placement and drills that maximize survival.

The committee debated additional drafting questions later in the day, including whether the bill should require placement only on school property or extend to school‑sponsored events at off‑site venues and whether language should require schools to “place” AEDs or to “ensure AEDs are present” at venues that schools use but do not own. A motion to further amend the bill to replace the word “place” with “ensure” was discussed in committee but the sponsor and amendment proponents ultimately withdrew the motion for further drafting; the transcript records the committee tabling further edits so staff can prepare clarified language.

Actions recorded in the hearing: the committee approved Senator Axman’s amendment, 6 yays, 0 nays (vote recorded at the hearing). A later proposed amendment was offered and subsequently rescinded during committee discussion; no final committee vote on a do‑pass recommendation appears in the transcript.

Ending: Supporters said the bill’s templates and drills will help standardize local plans and improve survival from cardiac arrest in school settings; committee members asked staff to draft clarified language about off‑site events and AED placement before a final vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Monday, Mar 17, 2025 8:55 AM - 11:53 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 13 63 would require public and nonpublic schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans and have accessible AEDs; the Senate Education Committee added a drafting amendment to allow venue‑specific flexibility for a three‑minute access goal.","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},6127373,"Senate committee hears bill to raise per‑pupil funding, change ADM formula and shift construction dollars",3447,343000,3790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663487-1ff83f9c5e64912bc04be2759a4301cd&start=343&end=3790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663487-1ff83f9c5e64912bc04be2759a4301cd/thumbnail_343000.jpg","/articles/6127373/North-Dakota/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-raise-perpupil-funding-change-ADM-formula-and-shift-construction-dollars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127373-474b294b39f8ce50ed900ce91e4f4cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1773707712&Signature=XgVh23nxsfvgA~P~~IatKMgx9-1gQJRwYgZtmaQIzqPfWsK7aVS8Xa4-R3FdAk-h-Lss8POl-5sNsCC~7HHvkcFPWhKmQQA7hyUZUIn2qFOoeLYTVqku9i672FxCI7WORfhnxuJNsPWXPzwz~aDoB5ZKOn-tE9vsLxsokQw29NRi4ZXRNbpbf64PWwPDcf9u1DoIc~968yJHwRdjUy2NqrFA8VQnNpf9TW7IQxeB9okhd-KgvS68gx~OGTidklcpGmeSl1fwOXGUqEwZglM8-ICP~MBKlXcStVb4HwvSvolg8oKVf57fGo12YatK0-5c2BNW7mniEa6aXRW6sdPRcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 13 69, the superintendent’s funding bill, was presented to the Senate Education Committee with proposals to increase per‑pupil payments, alter enrollment accounting and move $75 million into school construction loans.

Representative Jeff Heiner, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure “is basically the superintendent’s bill and the per student payment,” and said Section 1 would increase the per‑pupil payment by 2 percent for the 2025–26 biennium and another 2 percent for the 2026–27 biennium. Heiner said the change “would amount to a total cost of 91,968,000” and stated the bill would set new per‑student dollar levels for the coming biennia (as presented in testimony).

The bill would also change how average daily membership (ADM) is calculated so districts receive the greater of the previous year’s ADM or a three‑year rolling average. Testimony to the committee focused heavily on that change and on adjustments to weighting for English language learners and special education.

Mike Crumwoody, representing the American Institute of Architects and the American Council of Engineering Companies, described a technical amendment to the bill’s construction and bonding language. He noted the underlying statute includes three separate dollar thresholds related to architecture, engineering and bonding and recommended aligning them to avoid procurement confusion. Crumwoody urged moving bonding language into the correct section and raising a $250,000 threshold in the bonding section to match the other thresholds.

Several school leaders and education organizations testified in support and urged larger increases and changes to student weightings: Jeff Osnat, superintendent of Bismarck Public Schools, asked the committee to consider raises comparable to those proposed for state employees and to review English learner weightings. Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, and representatives from the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders and school boards urged increases larger than 2 percent and supported raising EL and special education weightings. Superintendents from small rural districts described how a three‑year ADM average would soften sudden funding cliffs when small cohorts graduate.

Adam Tesher, school finance officer for the Department of Public Instruction, walked the committee through the department’s worksheet showing how ADM, weighting factors and local revenue produce each district’s formula payment. Tesher suggested, as a drafting alternative, making the rolling ADM adjustment a weight rather than changing the base ADM definition, to avoid unintended effects on other calculations such as on‑time funding.

No formal committee vote on House Bill 13 69 was recorded in the hearing transcript. Committee members asked technical questions; several speakers urged larger per‑pupil increases and higher EL/special education weights. The bill remains under discussion and could be revised in committee drafting before any vote.

Ending: Sponsors and witnesses said the intent is to stabilize funding for districts that face sudden enrollment drops and to align construction‑related procurement thresholds; the committee did not take final action during the hearing and directed staff to continue working on technical drafting and fiscal estimates.","Lawmakers heard House Bill 13 69, which would increase the state per‑pupil payment, change average daily membership (ADM) calculation to a greater‑of rule or 3‑year rolling average, remove a 12% levy cap and transfer $75 million from the foundation aid stabilization fund to the school construction revolving loan fund.",{"_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},6127365,"Senate panel hears overhaul of school transportation funding formula after UND study",1628,7504000,9132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663487-1ff83f9c5e64912bc04be2759a4301cd&start=7504&end=9132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663487-1ff83f9c5e64912bc04be2759a4301cd/thumbnail_7504000.jpg","/articles/6127365/North-Dakota/Senate-panel-hears-overhaul-of-school-transportation-funding-formula-after-UND-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127365-e9dc69ec17f06e879cb5734f644658c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773707712&Signature=Q3Sb15-wlBcLDsv-AfhAVtzyJfwAG2sWqZYTPdOxqNc5vM7rFxzPCTmsgimBl0ecqQVW-3bgsfRumv6SGjDsXvZpxRnVuRMhhlbVdPpYzKeF~iVLp9wkL9K9BrEv3HLRTF-eWbk7WPXwPpYdQM3k8APooIPexXeQSXC~eYqH164EL1Z-DyxYWFuIg3IdnYkWokGdMNLnODJFgzLIXYJ~9pF3mFWoaFIiK82Zmrjm289DZO4uzh8dX-gE7e83Pq64PNz20bdmRA35Dmxq4kvQHigEebsDWHqZywWY6vOMca1-OfnzieK8Wj4SrsR904Y8l0QREcVuRLshDWaUm8bFhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 12 14, a rewrite of the state school transportation funding mechanism, was presented to the Senate Education Committee with broad support from superintendents and school associations.

Representative David Richter (Williston), the bill sponsor, said the measure stems from a University of North Dakota transportation study and work by the interim education funding task force. The proposal would shift the state’s transportation allocation from a fixed block grant to a formula tied to the per‑pupil payment and adjusted by several new weighting factors that account for large district land area and number of school buildings, as well as reported bus miles and runs.

Steve Holland, superintendent of Mackenzie County School District No. 1 (Watford City), testified that transportation reimbursement under the current block grant has eroded and now covers a much smaller share of districts’ actual transportation costs than it did two decades ago. Holland told the committee some districts spend a double‑digit share of their budgets on transportation and said moving toward a weighted formula would better reflect geographic and density differences among districts.

Under the proposed worksheet shown to the committee, each district’s reported large‑bus miles and large‑bus runs are converted to weighted student units using fixed factors; district square miles and the number of school buildings are additional weights. The weighted student total is converted into a transportation payment that is then tied to the statewide per‑pupil rate. Witnesses emphasized the bill will increase transportation payments for most districts and that required reporting already exists, so no substantial new data burden is anticipated.

Supporters noted the bill is a phase‑1 reform: it does not immediately eliminate all disparities in reimbursement rates, but it creates a statutory vehicle for further refinement (for example, future consideration of road surface or other cost drivers). Department of Public Instruction staff said the department’s existing reports provide the data needed to calculate the new formula and suggested placing the rolling three‑year ADM adjustment as a weighting factor rather than changing ADM definitions directly (to avoid impacts on related calculations).

No final committee vote on House Bill 12 14 is recorded in the transcript; committee members asked for additional time to review the fiscal note and to consider how the change would interact with other budget decisions. Representative Richter noted the bill contains an appropriation in the fiscal note and said the measure will go to the Appropriations Committee if it advances.

Ending: Advocates said the new formula will provide a more equitable and predictable state contribution for school transportation by accounting for geography and district structure; committee members requested more time to examine fiscal impacts and possible drafting tweaks before a formal recommendation.","House Bill 12 14 would replace the long‑standing transportation block grant with a formula tied to per‑pupil funding and new weights for district area and building count, aiming to better account for geography and service density and to stabilize transportation reimbursement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts narrow amendment to AED plan bill after broad testimony on school cardiac response plans

Senate committee hears bill to raise per‑pupil funding, change ADM formula and shift construction dollars

Senate panel hears overhaul of school transportation funding formula after UND study