ND HB1540

Creates an Education Savings Account (ESA) program beginning in the 2026-27 school year for North Dakota students not enrolled in public school or homeschool, administered by the Bank of North Dakota with $21.7 million appropriated for the 2025-2027 biennium

Provides income-based funding at 35% of state per-pupil payment for households at or below 200% of poverty, 20% for households between 200-400% of poverty, and 10% for households above 400% of poverty

Allows ESA funds to be used for private school tuition, textbooks, curriculum, private tutoring, online learning programs, AP exam fees, college admission tests, educational technology, transportation to education providers, and postsecondary tuition and fees

Requires participating students to take state assessments or nationally norm-referenced tests in math and English language arts, with results reported to the Department of Public Instruction and published publicly after three years of data collection

Passed the House 49-43 and Senate 27-20; participating nonpublic schools must comply with health and safety codes, obtain state certification, and certify compliance with federal nondiscrimination policies