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Committee backs moving school transportation funding into formula, adds about $10 million to biennial costs
Summary
The committee approved engrossed House Bill 12‑14, which incorporates the state school transportation program into the funding formula rather than distributing it as a standalone grant; fiscal note identifies roughly $10 million in additional ongoing costs.
The House Appropriations Committee voted to give a do‑pass recommendation to engrossed House Bill 12‑14, which moves the school transportation (busing) program into the state funding formula instead of treating it as an ad‑hoc biennial grant.
Representative Richter, the bill sponsor, told the committee the change would make transportation funding automatic and linked to the student weighting used in other formula components; "it takes the transportation funding out of a grant pot and ties it to the funding formula," he said. The fiscal note attached to the bill estimates an additional $10,000,000 in the next biennium, though committee members noted that available grant balances and prior appropriations could reduce net new costs.
Adam Tesher, school finance officer at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, told the committee the provision would primarily benefit districts with high transportation costs and that funding would vary year to year with enrollment and regional factors. Members said the measure aims to provide stability and predictability to districts that depend on state transportation funds.
The committee recorded a do‑pass on the engrossed bill by roll call and moved it forward for further consideration.
