US EditionSchool Lunches on the Table During the Special Session
The bill would have allocated $65 million for universal free school meals but failed in the Senate by two votes amid concerns over state funding responsibility.
- During the special session Friday, the North Dakota Senate voted 24-22 to reject House Bill 1624, which the House approved 55-38, funding free school meals with $65 million through June 30, 2027.
- Amid a citizen ballot drive, lawmakers moved to act partly fearing the measure would pass as Together for School Meals collects 31,164 signatures during the special legislative session called by Governor Kelly Armstrong.
- Rep. Mike Nathe's bill advanced after a joint appropriations committee gave a 'do pass' recommendation despite narrow Senate support and a voting error involving Sen. Randy Burckhard.
- Together for School Meals said it will continue pursuing the ballot initiative after the Senate vote and supporters argued Century Code placement allows legislative flexibility versus embedding in the state constitution.
- Polls show public opinion polls favor free school lunches 80/20, prompting Rep. Austen Schauer to say, "We can't ignore the polls," while opponents including Sen. David Clemens and Rep. Lori VanWinkle criticized the plan.
15 Articles
15 Articles
No universal free meals for North Dakota K-12 students, lawmakers decide
BISMARCK — North Dakota will not offer all school children free meals, state senators decided in a narrow vote during a special legislative session. The state Senate on Friday, Jan. 23, voted 24-22 against House Bill 1624. The legislation would have provided one lunch and breakfast each school day to public school students, at the student’s request, for free starting in the fall. The bill allocated $65 million through June 30, 2027, for universa…
Virginia Mercury
Royal ExaminerCould a free school breakfast bill become law this year?
Senate Bill 4 by Danica Roem, D-Prince William, and House Bill 96 by Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, D-Alexandria, would provide k-12 students with free breakfast. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)An effort to provide k-12 students with free breakfast is again moving forward in Virginia’s legislature. The bill has advanced a few years in a row but fell short of becoming law due to some legislators’ concerns over cost. Senate Bill 4 by Sen. Danica …
Hawaii legislative bill would feed every public school student for free | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Every public school student — regardless of family income — would receive free meals at school under a bill introduced Thursday by nearly half of all 51 House members, including Rep. Scot Matayoshi who saw firsthand what happens to hungry students in class while he taught seventh-grade science at Nanakuli High &Intermediate School.
Local lawmakers react as North Dakota House passes free school meals bill
By Sydney Zatz FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – North Dakota moved closer to providing free school meals for all students after the House passed legislation during Thursday’s special session. House Bill 1624 passed in a 55-38 vote, allocating $65 million for free breakfast and lunch for all students. Private and tribal schools will need to opt in to receive the free meals. “I’m very excited that this is being taken up in the special session. I’v…
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