House committee hears bill to create education savings accounts for nonpublic students

At a hearing of the North Dakota House Education Committee, members heard testimony on House Bill 1607, which would establish education savings accounts for students attending nonpublic schools equal to the state per‑pupil payment, cited in testimony as about $11,072.

Sponsor Representative Matt Heilman told the committee the bill "establishes an ESA for students equivalent to the per [pupil] payment, which is $11,072," and that his main concern was how funds would be delivered: "the only real concern I had was about the debit card mentioned on page 4, line 2. However, the following section does have accountability...and if they're not [used appropriately], there is action the superintendent of public instruction can take." He also acknowledged the Department of Public Instruction had flagged IT implementation timing in the fiscal note.

Supporters, who included private‑school principals, parents and the North Dakota Catholic…