Senate Bill 2242, introduced to create a comprehensive interim study of higher-education institutions, their collaboration with K–12, and methods to improve efficiency and student outcomes, was heard by the Senate Education Committee. The committee closed the hearing with supporters urging the study; they did not take a committee vote on the measure during the session.

Sponsor Senator Jan Myrdal described the proposed study as a nonpunitive, broad-ranging review intended to capitalize on technological opportunities (including online instruction and emerging tools such as AI), expand dual-credit access, and explore models to shorten time-to-degree such as three-year bachelor’s programs. Myrdal emphasized the bill was not a review of funding formulae but a stakeholder-driven interim study to bring K–12, higher education, business and other groups together to recommend efficiencies and approaches for students.

Mauryd Heiberter, testifying for North Dakota Family Alliance Legislative Action, urged a due pass and said the study could examine reducing costs and increasing dual-credit access for high school students. Heiberter contrasted North Dakota’s current policy—where families pay tuition, fees and books for dual-credit—with Minnesota’s PSEO (postsecondary enrollment options) and pointed to Modern States’ Freshman Year Free initiative as a model some states use to reduce student cost and time to degree.

Senator Myrdal and supporters said the study would be stakeholder-driven and noted that legislative council per-diem and staff resources would cover interim-study costs, so no separate fiscal note was required for the bill itself. Committee members received requests that the interim group include representatives from higher education, K–12, business and other stakeholders to ensure the study’s recommendations are broadly informed.

There was no recorded committee motion or final vote on SB 2242 at the hearing; the committee closed the hearing and recessed. Witnesses urged that the study consider dual-credit access and models used by other states to lower costs and accelerate completion, and supporters said the study could help North Dakota better align workforce needs with postsecondary offerings.

The committee closed the hearing and recessed for the remainder of the day; the bill’s path forward will depend on whether legislative management schedules the study for interim work.