North Dakota conference committee debates food distribution facility grant funding

The North Dakota Legislature's conference committee convened on April 17, 2025, to discuss House Bill 1143, which aims to provide funding for a food distribution facility grant program. The bill has undergone significant amendments throughout its legislative journey, initially proposing a $10 million appropriation, which was reduced to $5 million by the House Ag Committee. However, the Senate Appropriations Committee later restored the funding to $10 million, reflecting the pressing needs of the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo.

The Great Plains Food Bank, the state's only food bank, serves all 53 counties and has been operating from a facility with serious infrastructure issues, including a failing HVAC system and a leaky roof. The proposed new facility is expected to enhance capacity and efficiency, addressing food insecurity that affects approximately 312,000 North Dakotans, or one in five residents.

During the meeting, committee members discussed the importance of the funding, emphasizing the food bank's role in combating hunger across the state. The project is backed by a $30.5 million capital campaign, with a goal of raising $20 million through private donations, leaving a $10 million gap that the state funding would help fill. The bill includes a one-to-one matching requirement, ensuring shared investment between the state and private sector.

Despite the Senate's support for the increased funding, concerns were raised about the overall budget and the need to protect taxpayer interests. The committee ultimately decided to postpone a final decision on the bill, indicating that further discussions would be necessary to assess the status of other spending proposals before moving forward.

The next steps for House Bill 1143 will involve rescheduling a conference committee meeting to continue deliberations on the funding and its implications for food security in North Dakota.