North Dakota Senate Bill SB2084

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/25
• Refer: 1/7/25
• Report Pass: 1/31/25
• Refer: 2/3/25
• Report Pass: 2/13/25
• Engrossed: 2/17/25
• Refer: 2/18/25
• Report Pass: 3/11/25
• Refer: 3/11/25
• Report Pass: 3/17/25
• Enrolled: 3/24/25
• Passed: 3/26/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsections 2 and 6 of section 44-08-04, subsection 2 of section 54-03-20, and subsection 5 of section 54-06-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to authorized travel expense and lodging reimbursement rates.

Summary

SB 2084 updates North Dakota’s travel reimbursement rules for state and local officials and employees. The bill revises in-state per diem travel quarters, keeps the first three quarter-day meal allowances at set dollar amounts, and changes the fourth-quarter lodging reimbursement to actual lodging expenses capped by Office of Management and Budget policy. That policy must set the lodging reimbursement at 90% of the U.S. General Services Administration lodging rate for the state, plus applicable state or local taxes. It also allows political subdivisions to reimburse actual lodging expenses for their officers, employees, representatives, or agents. The bill further amends the lodging reimbursement rules for legislators, tying in-state lodging reimbursement to the GSA rate for the relevant North Dakota city, plus taxes, and requiring OMB to set a fallback policy when no GSA rate is available. For legislators during sessions, the monthly lodging cap is recalculated every two years based on 30 times 75% of the daily lodging reimbursement in effect on August 1 of even-numbered years. The bill also clarifies that legislators may claim less than the maximum reimbursement and that legislative management may reduce reimbursement when multiple legislators share a dwelling. For state employees, SB 2084 changes mileage reimbursement for employees permanently located outside North Dakota or on indefinite out-of-state assignments lasting at least 30 consecutive days. Those employees must be paid the U.S. GSA mileage rate for official motor vehicle travel, and the usual 300-mile restriction does not apply. Overall, the bill standardizes travel and lodging reimbursements more closely to federal GSA benchmarks and gives OMB authority to set implementing policy where needed. The bill appears to have broad support overall, passing the Senate unanimously and the House with a clear majority. The House vote, however, shows some opposition, suggesting at least some concern about the cost or structure of the reimbursement changes. No committee transcript was provided, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the main policy issue is likely the fiscal effect of increasing or standardizing reimbursements and the extent to which state rates should track federal lodging and mileage benchmarks. The main points of contention are likely the higher reimbursement exposure for the state and local governments, the shift to OMB-set policies, and the recalculation of legislative lodging caps. Supporters likely view the bill as an update that better aligns reimbursement with actual travel costs and current federal rates, while critics may worry about increased spending or reduced legislative discretion in setting travel allowances.

Impact

SB 2084 amends North Dakota Century Code provisions governing travel expenses, lodging reimbursement, legislative lodging caps, and mileage reimbursement for certain state employees. It affects sections 44-08-04, 54-03-20, and 54-06-09 by tying reimbursement amounts more closely to U.S. General Services Administration rates, authorizing OMB to establish fallback or implementing policies, and adjusting how lodging and mileage are calculated for state officials, legislators, and some out-of-state employees.

Sentiment

The bill’s voting history suggests generally favorable sentiment. It passed the Senate 44-0 and the House 72-21, indicating strong support with some House opposition. With no committee testimony available, the available record points to a broadly accepted administrative update, though not unanimous agreement in the House.

Contention

The likely areas of disagreement are fiscal and administrative. Opponents may have objected to higher or more formula-driven lodging and mileage reimbursements, the use of GSA benchmarks, or the delegation of policy-setting authority to the Office of Management and Budget. Supporters likely favored the bill as a practical modernization that better reflects actual travel costs and provides clearer reimbursement rules for state and local officials.