House Education Committee hears broad support for universal school meals bill, $140 million appropriation proposed

Representative Patrick Haddlestead, sponsor of House Bill 1475, told the House Education Committee the bill would "relieve a child's food insecurity by providing two nutritious meals to all school‑aged children every day of the school year." The measure asks the state treasury to appropriate $140,000,000 (the bill language: $140,000,000 or the sum necessary) to reimburse school districts for serving universal breakfast and lunch, less any federal, state or private reimbursement the district receives.

The bill's supporters told the committee the proposal would reduce stigma, help working families and benefit local producers. Landis Larsen, president of the North Dakota AFL‑CIO, said, "Free school meals would mean an extra $850 per child per year that working families can keep in pocket." Michelle Wagner, child nutrition program director for Bismarck Public Schools, urged the committee to consider local agricultural impacts, estimating added milk purchases and additional federal entitlement dollars tied to higher participation.

Nut Graf: Proponents — including unions, school nutrition directors, education leaders, farmers and parent advocates — framed HB1475 as both a…