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HB 1100

A BILL for an Act to provide an exemption to continue free school meal funding for qualified delinquent meal debt and to provide for a legislative management report.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Jim Jonas and 4 co-sponsors

The bill preserves $6 million to reimburse school districts for delinquent student meal debt from 2023–2025, allocated by district debt share with reporting requirements.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 20 nays 72
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1100

Summary — HB 1100 (North Dakota): Continue Free School Meal Funding to Reimburse Qualified Delinquent Meal Debt

Note: Several jurisdictions use the bill number “HB 1100.” This summary covers the North Dakota version titled “An Act to provide an exemption to continue free school meal funding for qualified delinquent meal debt and to provide for a legislative management report.”

Purpose / Intent

To allow $6,000,000 appropriated for grants for free school meals to be carried forward into the 2025–27 biennium and used specifically to reimburse school districts for qualifying delinquent student meal debt incurred during a defined period. The bill also requires reporting to the Legislative Management on the use and distribution of those funds.

Key provisions

  • Exemption from lapse: Designates $6,000,000 (originally appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction in section 17 of chapter 173 of the 2023 Session Laws) as not subject to section 54‑44.1‑11 (the statutory lapse/continuation restriction). Any unspent portion may be continued into the 2025–27 biennium (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).
  • Purpose of continued funds: The superintendent of public instruction must use the continued funding to provide grants that reimburse school districts for "qualified delinquent meal debt."
  • Definition of qualified debt: Meal debt incurred between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025.
  • Allocation formula: Grants are distributed to each school district based on the district’s prorated share of total statewide qualified delinquent meal debt as of June 30, 2025. No district may receive more than its actual delinquent meal debt as of that date.
  • Reporting requirement: The superintendent must report to Legislative Management on:
    • the amount of funding continued,
    • total delinquent meal debt by school district, and
    • the grant funding provided to each district for qualified delinquent meal debt.

Who/what is affected

  • State level: Department of Public Instruction (administration and distribution of grants).
  • Local level: Public school districts statewide — eligible to receive reimbursements up to their documented qualified delinquent meal debt.
  • Fiscal impact: Uses an existing $6.0 million general‑fund appropriation (no new appropriation). The bill changes the timing and allowable use of that money rather than creating a new ongoing fiscal obligation.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The bill text allows carryforward into the 2025–27 biennium (effective for use beginning July 1, 2025).
  • Requires measurement of delinquent meal debt as of June 30, 2025 (the snapshot date for allocation).
  • Includes an administrative/oversight element via required reporting to Legislative Management.

Practical considerations / likely effects

  • Immediate relief for school districts with meal debt accrued during the specified two‑year period, reducing district liabilities tied to student meal accounts.
  • Centralizes distribution and oversight at the Department of Public Instruction, using a statewide proration to allocate limited funds.
  • Limits use to a one‑time reimbursement for a defined period (not an ongoing entitlement).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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