By: Michael Achterling
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – Two bills that would address free or reduced school meals for North Dakota students will be considered by state lawmakers this week.
One bill, sponsored by Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, would mandate the state cover the cost for free school meals for K-12 students and mirrors a constitutional ballot measure. The Together for School Meals coalition is gathering signatures to put the issue to a statewide vote in November.
While the ballot measure would add the meal program to the state constitution, the bill would add the program to state law, making it easier for lawmakers to adjust if the program becomes too costly.
“We have talked to the supporters of the initiated measure and they are in full support of this bill,” Nathe said during the meeting.
The bill advanced on a 14-3 vote of Legislative Management for consideration in the special session that begins Wednesday.
Nathe’s free school meals bill is expected to cost $65 million for the 2026-27 school year, according to estimates by the Department of Public Instruction, and will be funded through the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund.
“I think the ballot measure will pass,” said Gov. Kelly Armstrong in an interview Tuesday. “So, then the question becomes, do you want constitutionally mandated spending, or do you want it in legislation?”
During the meeting, Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, said she’s concerned the ballot measure process is being weaponized against lawmakers for policy considerations, and lawmakers shouldn’t be scared of protecting the state constitution.
“We are becoming a welfare state,” Myrdal said. “All of our kids in schools right now are fed. There are no hungry kids in school because we passed a law, even, to ensure that.”
A competing school lunch bill, sponsored by Rep. Ty Dressler, R-Richardton, was also advanced by the committee on a 14-3 vote and would expand the state’s current free and reduced school lunch program.
Dressler’s bill would expand the program to families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, which is about $96,000 for a family of four.
“I’m excited to present an alternative option,” Dressler said in an interview Tuesday. “I think it’s a good opportunity for voters to see there is more than one option instead of just passing the initiated measure.”
He also said he wanted his bill to focus on the people who need the help.
“I think it’s a budget-friendly way of approaching an issue we can all believe in,” Dressler said.
During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers expanded the free and reduced school lunch program to include households earning up to 225% of the federal poverty level, which is about $72,000 for a family of four.
Armstrong said he hopes lawmakers don’t lose sight of the purpose of the special session which is to allocate $199 million in Rural Health Transformation Program funding for the state that was signed into law by President Donald Trump in July as part of the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act.
—————————————————————————————————————————-
Comments