North Dakota Lawmakers Discuss $199 Million Health Funding

North Dakota lawmakers gathered this week for a special legislative session called by Gov. Kelly Armstrong to determine how $199 million in federal rural health funding will be spent, a decision state leaders said could not wait until the next regular session in 2027.

Alongside the health funding, lawmakers are weighing a small slate of education-related bills, including proposals dealing with school meals, student fitness requirements, and property tax administration.

House Bill 1624 would appropriate $65 million to provide free breakfast and lunch to K-12 students in public and public charter schools beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Meals would be provided regardless of family income. Nonpublic, tribal and Bureau of Indian Education schools would be allowed to participate if they choose. The funding would cover one school year, with the issue revisited by lawmakers when the Legislature convenes again in January 2027.

The measure is being debated as supporters of a ballot initiative circulate petitions to establish a constitutional right to free school meals. Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, the bill’s sponsor, said he believes the program should be created in statute rather than placed in the constitution.

“A law may be changed in the future by the Legislature, while the constitution can be amended only by a statewide vote,” Nathe said.

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, supported that approach, saying, “I’d rather have (a school meals law) than put chicken nuggets in the constitution,” and describing the move as “strategically smart.”

Nathe said supporters of the ballot initiative indicated they would stop their campaign if lawmakers approve the legislation. “The outpouring of public support for this is enormous,” he said.

Another proposal, House Bill 1627, would provide $7 million to fund school meals during the 2026-27 school year for students whose family income is no more than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. That bill would apply to students in both public and nonpublic schools.

Other bills scheduled for consideration include HB1621, which would require students to participate in the presidential youth fitness test, and HB1626, which clarifies how an early property tax payment discount is applied in relation to the state’s $1,600 primary residence property tax credit. Senate Bill 2404 would provide $1.5 million to help state agencies improve digital accessibility for people with disabilities.

The Legislative Management Committee selected the bills to be heard. Additional measures would require approval from two-thirds of both chambers.