ND HB1498

Authorizes area career and technology center boards to offer first-year signing bonuses to newly licensed teachers who were not classroom teachers in North Dakota during the previous school year

Expands school district signing bonus eligibility to individuals who have never been employed in the newly assigned role by that specific school district, rather than limiting to first-year teachers only

Signing bonuses may be paid as a lump sum or in installments over up to five years, and are excluded from negotiated salary schedules and continuing contract salary calculations

Prohibits signing bonuses for teachers who worked the prior year in the same role at another North Dakota school district until they have been employed in the new district for two years

Declared an emergency measure, passing the House 85-7 and Senate 44-1