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SB 2228

AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of commerce for a rural grocery store sustainability grant program.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Karla Rose Hanson and 3 co-sponsors

Provides $1M one-time to the ND Dept of Commerce to fund rural grocery store grants to preserve stores and improve local food access.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/22
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Bill Summary · SB 2228

Summary — SB 2228 (North Dakota)

AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of commerce for a rural grocery store sustainability and food access expansion grant program.

Purpose

Provide one-time state funding to preserve rural grocery stores and increase food access in North Dakota communities by creating a grant program administered by the Department of Commerce.

Key provisions

  • Appropriation: $1,000,000 one-time from the general fund for the 2025–2027 biennium (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027).
  • Administration: Grants to be awarded by the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The department must establish guidelines for grant awards.
  • Prioritization: The department shall prioritize funding to support existing rural grocery stores before awarding funds for feasibility costs related to reopening a grocery store in a community without one.
  • Use restrictions: Funds may not be used for food processing or offsite preparation operations of a rural grocery store.
  • Funding classification: The appropriation is designated as one-time funding.

Who is affected

  • Primary recipients: Rural grocery store owners/operators and communities that host or seek to reopen a rural grocery store.
  • Secondary beneficiaries: Residents of rural communities who rely on local grocery stores for food access; local employers and related small businesses.
  • Administering agency: North Dakota Department of Commerce (responsible for guidelines, application process, and award decisions).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: March 11, 2025.
  • Committee action: Adopted by the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee (report dated Feb 7, 2025) and subject to Department of Commerce rulemaking for grant guidelines.
  • Legislative action: Passed both chambers (Senate vote 40–6; House vote 75–17). Sent to and signed by the Governor (dates noted in legislative actions: signed by Governor April 21, 2025) and filed with the Secretary of State April 22, 2025. (Status shown as filed with Secretary of State 04/22/2025.)
  • Implementation window: Grant program funds are available for awards in the biennium beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2027.

Administration & unanswered details

  • The Department of Commerce will set eligibility criteria, application procedures, award sizes, matching requirements (if any), and selection process in the program guidelines — these details are not specified in the bill text.
  • The bill restricts use for food processing/offsite preparation but does not specify per-grant caps or required local matches.

Notes: The provided documents included text fragments from other jurisdictions (an unrelated Illinois bill also labeled SB 2228). This summary focuses on the North Dakota Senate Bill 2228 as introduced and enacted in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly.

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

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