Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateNorth DakotaSecond Reading
HB 1624: A BILL for an Act to create and enact two new sections to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to offering school breakfast and lunch at no cost and the school meals fund; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
Mike Nathe
HB 1624 status: Second Reading — Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 22 nays 24 (updated Jan 23, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
69OUT OF 100
Score:69/100 civic fit
Risk:Moderate Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 65/100
Constitutionality95%
Bipartisan50%
Public opinion80%
Bill summary
What changes
The bill proposes creating a state-run 'school meals fund' and mandates the provision of free school breakfast and lunch to students.
Who is affected
All North Dakota public school students and their families.
Requirements and enforcement
Creation of a new school meals fund and legislative appropriation of funds.
Costs and funding
The bill requires a new state appropriation and funding transfer.
When it takes effect
The bill specifies an effective date, though the bill failed to pass.
Potential benefits
Improved food security and student nutritional access.
Risks and tradeoffs
Long-term fiscal sustainability and reliance on state appropriations.
What is still unknown
The exact total appropriation amount, long-term funding stability, and specific quality standards for meals provided.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Reduces direct out-of-pocket food costs for families
- Direct investment in state school meal infrastructure
- Potential increase in local food procurement
Risks
- Requires ongoing legislative appropriations
- Adds pressure to state general fund budget
- Creates long-term fiscal dependency on state revenue
Society
Positive outlook
80%
Benefits
- Eliminates food insecurity barriers for students
- Reduces social stigma associated with subsidized lunches
- Increases student access to daily nutrition
Risks
- Potential for disparate implementation across districts
- Uncertainty in long-term program stability
- Reliance on centralized state-level management
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
Mixed / Neutral
55%
Benefits
- Establishes a dedicated legislative school meals fund
- Requires transparent fund accounting
- Provides legislative control over school nutrition policy
Risks
- Centralizes funding control away from local districts
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in funding release
- Increased legislative burden for program management
Public Health & Safety
Positive outlook
80%
Benefits
- Improves student dietary consistency
- Supports healthy development through guaranteed nutrition
- Reduces health complications linked to malnutrition
Risks
- No mandated nutritional standards in the abstract
- Dependency on school procurement efficiency
- Variable impact based on school dietary policies
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Significant state-level fiscal exposure for ongoing program costs.
Analysis scope
Source provided is a summary abstract only; no full bill text reviewed.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedComplete
- CommitteeComplete
- Chamber votesCurrent
- Final agreementUpcoming
- GovernorUpcoming
- EnactedUpcoming
05
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06
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