BISMARCK — An attempt to again pass funding to make school meals free for families making up to $60,000 a year was successful in the North Dakota State House Thursday evening. This comes after a previous single-subject bill that would have done the same thing failed in the Senate.
Senate Bill 2284 contains several subjects relating to public schools. The House Education Committee added an amendment to provide free breakfast and lunch to students of families 200% or less than the federal poverty level. The Senate earlier rejected House Bill 1491, a bill that contained similar language.
Qualifying families would be those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, making about $60,000 or less if they are a family with two parents and two kids.
Rep. David Richter, R-Dis. 1, Williston, said the federal government currently provides funding for free meals to families at or below 145% of the federal poverty level. The federal government provides reduced meals for families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Article four, section 13 of the North Dakota Constitution, which states that amendments to bills must align with the general subject of the bill, was discussed about the school meal amendment to SB2284. Some lawmakers argued the amendment aligns with the general subject of the bill, while others argued the title was changed to accommodate the amendment. Some said providing free lunch for families making $60,000 a year is not helping the poor, while others said the bill is about making sure children are fed.
An attempt was made to have the amendment separated from the rest of the bill, but the original version passed the House on a 70-22 vote. The bill will now be sent back to the Senate.
