In a recent and closely contested decision, North Dakota lawmakers have opted not to implement a program providing free meals for all K-12 students in the state. During a special legislative session held on January 23, the state Senate cast a narrow vote of 24-22 against House Bill 1624, which aimed to supply public school students with complimentary breakfast and lunch every school day upon request, beginning this fall. The proposal included an allocation of $65 million designated for universal meal provisions through June 30, 2027.
Senator David Clemens from West Fargo expressed concerns about the bill, arguing that it would diminish the role of families in providing meals for their children. "Currently, many families are responsible for preparing lunches for their kids. If we pass this bill, it may eliminate that necessity," he stated.
This legislative discussion was part of a three-day special session that commenced on Wednesday, convened by Governor Kelly Armstrong to enable the acceptance of nearly $400 million in federal funding aimed at enhancing healthcare access in rural areas. Alongside the health-related funding, lawmakers considered seven emergency bills during this session, two of which focused on expanding free meal access for students.
While the House of Representatives approved HB 1624 with a vote of 55-38, another bill, House Bill 1627, which would have allowed families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level to qualify for free or reduced-cost meals, was defeated in a close vote of 45-48. For context, the federal poverty threshold is set at $32,000 for a family of four, meaning under HB 1627, families earning as much as $96,000 could have applied for assistance.
The proposed legislation would have ensured that all students received meals at no cost, regardless of their family's financial situation. However, a grassroots organization known as Together for School Meals is currently gathering signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot, which would mandate the provision of free meals to schoolchildren in North Dakota. Should this initiative gain voter approval, it would embed the right to free school meals into the state constitution, potentially funded by the Legacy Fund, which is composed of a portion of oil and gas tax revenues.
Senator Judy Lee noted that while lawmakers can amend state statutes, they cannot alter a constitutional amendment once passed. She expressed concern about the implications of the constitutional measure, suggesting it could likely pass if the legislature failed to approve the current bill. "It’s essential to recognize that this is evidently a popular issue among North Dakota voters, and our role here is to represent their interests while also ensuring we do so effectively," she remarked.
Polling data supports this notion, with a 2024 survey from the North Dakota News Cooperative indicating that 82% of respondents were in favor of the state government providing meals at no cost to students. Representative Austen Schauer emphasized the need for the legislature to respond to constituents' wishes while maintaining oversight of such initiatives. "We cannot turn a blind eye to the polls; the people of North Dakota are clearly asking for this," he asserted.
However, some legislators raised objections, claiming that their constituents had urged them to oppose the bill. Senator Janne Myrdal expressed her belief that the legislative process was being unduly influenced to pass the bill, emphasizing the importance of protecting the state's constitution as a safeguard for the people.
Concerns were also raised about the potential benefits for wealthier families. In the House debate, Representative Lori VanWinkle labeled free meals as "socialist" in nature. On the other hand, Senator Tim Mathern argued that endorsing free lunches aligns with the overarching goal of improving public health in North Dakota. He dismissed concerns about distributing resources to wealthy families, stating, "Let’s just ensure that everyone has access to food. That’s the essence of this bill."
In response to the Senate's recent vote, Together for School Meals reaffirmed its commitment to placing the constitutional measure before voters. "Even though the Legislature has once again rejected this idea, one thing is crystal clear: the people of North Dakota overwhelmingly support free meals for schoolchildren," said spokesperson Amy Jacobson. "This public backing isn’t going to fade, and we intend to honor it by taking this directly to the electorate."
