Appropriations panel recommends 'do not pass' on Bill 1540 after means-test amendment

At a meeting of the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, members voted 3-2 to recommend “do not pass” on Bill 1540, a school-choice proposal amended to add a means test and to designate the Bank of North Dakota as administrator.

The panel approved an amendment that largely reverted the measure to language that came from the Senate Education Policy Committee, with a few changes to clarify the Bank of North Dakota’s role, to define eligible students by a means test, and to identify a program manager (vendor) for the marketplace. Senator Jay Scheible, sponsor of the amendment, said the changes were intended to keep the policy committee’s intent while addressing implementation details.

“What I'm proposing is that we go back to what came from the Senate policy committee with a few minor changes,” said Senator Jay Scheible, explaining the amendment and singling out three changes: naming the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding the…