A concurrent resolution to repeal section 10 of article X of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to the statewide property tax levy of one mill for support of the state medical center at the University of North Dakota; and to provide an effective date.
Summary
SCR 4023 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would repeal section 10 of article X of the North Dakota Constitution. That section currently authorizes a statewide property tax levy of one mill dedicated to support for the state medical center at the University of North Dakota. If approved by voters, the measure would remove that constitutional levy from the state constitution and end the statewide property tax mechanism tied to the medical center.
The resolution does not itself change the constitution immediately; instead, it places the proposed repeal before North Dakota voters at the 2026 general election. The measure also sets an effective date so that, if approved, the repeal would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
Impact
If adopted by the electorate, SCR 4023 would eliminate a constitutional authorization for a statewide one-mill property tax levy dedicated to the UND state medical center, affecting state tax law and the funding stream for that institution. It would remove the levy from the constitution rather than merely adjusting a statute, meaning future support for the medical center would need to come from other legislative or budgetary sources. The measure would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, if approved.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have faced more opposition than support in the Senate, as reflected by its failure on second reading by a 21-26 vote. With no committee transcript available, the recorded vote is the main indicator of sentiment, and it suggests the proposal did not command majority support. The resolution’s failure indicates that, at least in the chamber vote, there was insufficient agreement to advance the constitutional repeal to the ballot.
Contention
The central point of contention is the elimination of a dedicated statewide property tax levy for the state medical center at the University of North Dakota. Supporters likely viewed the repeal as a way to remove a constitutional tax burden or reassess how the medical center is funded, while opponents likely objected to losing a stable, constitutionally protected revenue source for a major public medical institution. The split vote suggests disagreement over both the tax policy implications and the potential impact on medical center financing.