Committee votes: higher‑education funding fix referred to appropriations; coaches CPR bill fails in Education Committee

At the committee meeting the Senate Education Committee acted on two agenda items during its committee work session.

Senate Bill 2034: The committee moved a due‑pass recommendation and referred the bill to the Appropriations Committee. The measure would alter components of the higher‑education funding formula and include a $1.8 million appropriation to address shortfalls identified for Dickinson State University and Lake Region College related to changes in how certain CTE credits are counted. The motion to give SB 2034 a due pass and refer it to Appropriations passed on a 6‑0 voice tally.

Senate Bill 2099: The committee considered a bill that would have added specific sudden cardiac arrest and CPR/AED training requirements for coaches and those supervising extracurricular athletics. Committee members raised concerns about placing detailed training requirements in statute rather than leaving them to the North Dakota High School Activities Association or HHS guidance. The committee adopted a do‑not‑pass recommendation on SB 2099; the motion passed on a 4‑2 vote. Senator Beard made the motion for a do‑not‑pass and Vice Chair Lim seconded it. Senator Gearhart agreed to carry the bill on the floor.

Formal actions recorded: - SB 2034: Motion — due pass and refer to Appropriations; outcome: due pass with referral to Appropriations; tally: 6‑0. - SB 2099: Motion — do not pass; outcome: do not pass; tally: 4‑2.

What’s next: SB 2034 proceeds to the Appropriations Committee for consideration of the policy and its $1.8 million appropriation. SB 2099 will not move forward from the Senate Education Committee under the adopted recommendation; sponsors may seek to amend the bill or pursue its provisions through rulemaking or other vehicles.