[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6382800,"mediaKeyId","2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888","parentId",2126211,"title","DPI Says Federal Rules Bar Whole/2% Milk From Reimbursable School Meals; Sponsor Seeks Bulk‑dispensing Option","audioSeconds",761,"startMs",5999000,"endMs",6760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888&start=5999&end=6760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888/thumbnail_5999000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382800/North-Dakota/DPI-Says-Federal-Rules-Bar-Whole2-Milk-From-Reimbursable-School-Meals-Sponsor-Seeks-Bulkdispensing-Option","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382800-cab04bb67d81c37db342f79bb748ca15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165593&Signature=iyvjRx9PCB7cuvYnDTCpQgeTAIbsQq0Um0Wru9iLxk38gN-yhttbWDTxYTOw07kMvmgvZc2JKDBxMntxukl-Jsgo0k-X5nkhdt2pidON1kDNpcuJ7yJ0TpVXl4yHyrMuCTcltGN0aM-AUa~yb-Bea-xZKihG4nFNKTQ0wu-3P~0KYJ66r6iqOp2cLKOhdJSXQOSbYblutj2fS-2j2nmWP7m~2dOoYXoRONXN3V2WlY7oyYxDq8DVUGP7b-CoywKw3TaXNmxr9Yd1TquL5mpSiU0TbVhWpsRP3CCed~M4iKCgfdAB3aPgM~R1rnPwNi9pyUfrMBLAlsewPY9vrWqb3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Agriculture, ND","date","2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Dawson Holly introduced House Bill 1132 to permit schools to offer whole and 2% milk through bulk milk dispensers, arguing federal limits on milk fat in school meals have reduced student milk consumption and that allowing bulk dispensers would expand student choice and could create markets for local milk processors.

Holly said the bill would not mandate schools to adopt the change but would allow them to offer whole and 2% milk through bulk dispensers. \"This bill is not also about nutrition. It doesn't mandate that a school would put this whole milk or 2% milk in schools through their bulk milk dispenser. It just allows them,\" he said.

Lynelle Johnson, director of Child Nutrition and Food Distribution at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, testified that the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs are administered under USDA regulations (7 CFR 210 for lunch, 7 CFR 220 for breakfast) and that those programs require schools to offer two varieties of milk that may be flavored or unflavored and must meet the USDA meal pattern for reimbursable meals. \"Under USDA guidelines, 2% and whole milk cannot be included as part of the reimbursable meal,\" Johnson said. She added that products may be offered as additional items at no cost but that items sold separately during the school day also must meet USDA Smart Snacks guidelines, and schools using a bulk method must ensure students take a full 8‑ounce serving.

Committee members asked practical questions about serving sizes, student choice and waste; Johnson noted schools are not required to force students to take milk (offer versus serve rules apply) and that lactose‑free milks and medically documented substitutions are allowed when they meet nutritional profiles.

Representatives discussed why the sponsor focused on bulk dispensers rather than cartons; Holly and others said Tennessee used a similar approach to allow different milk options under federal rules by offering milk outside the reimbursable tray flow.

The hearing record shows the Department of Public Instruction’s position that federal regulations constrain what counts as a reimbursable meal item and that any local change must be implemented in a way that preserves federal reimbursement eligibility for students who rely on the meal programs.

Ending: The hearing closed after DPI provided clarifying guidance to the committee; no committee vote was recorded during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Agriculture Jan 16, 2025 II","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1132 would allow schools to offer whole and 2% milk via bulk dispensers; the Department of Public Instruction told the committee USDA rules (7 CFR 210 and 220) prevent whole and 2% milk from counting toward a reimbursable school meal under current meal‑pattern requirements.","taxTitle","Agriculture, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28885,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382804,"Oilseed Council Seeks Minimum Penalty for Late Assessment Filings; House Ag Hears Bill",1568,4533000,6101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888&start=4533&end=6101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888/thumbnail_4533000.jpg","/articles/6382804/North-Dakota/Oilseed-Council-Seeks-Minimum-Penalty-for-Late-Assessment-Filings-House-Ag-Hears-Bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382804-7c3e3383a9754cd93d8906758435df75/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165594&Signature=e30guArBq9XX8ZZDL5zETIwa7JTWDZ8ac1zcnyPYV6qutiyqxf9Qq8Ba58lglpQsIXqVyddXp~kAb2O3INdgaTSEAvvyLKEz7fkA1ygYyOIdMKKr5x7cChEQfGS7avELFC7DVSUW5Z5XVjTOEiUYCTxsxsGLzqxQcIZkn1vo91BxwvszjD6WkDvsGeluGgYxpQ-goNAq7o~X4feYct0WszlSfT2pCez7XWFu8MXxdg74fZbQsBKaw2wYDdH-5ibLuZnAjAESVdiOaNmEe4DPZMPqKLRzhXei7jsiPxjEkNrhrpUFCzl6FZVlisbG1XcQcilrKIuocf0tY0B4Ub7krA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Sam Kemenick introduced House Bill 1136 to the House Agriculture Committee, saying the measure responds to difficulties the North Dakota Oilseed Council faces collecting statutorily required assessment reports from first purchasers.

John Wirt, chairman of the North Dakota Oilseed Council, said the council must currently rely on a statutory penalty of 10% of the assessment but that the council cannot impose a percentage penalty when the underlying assessment amount is unknown. \"The penalty is, in the statute, is 10% of the assessment. The problem is you can't impose 10% when you don't know what the assessment is,\" Wirt testified. He said the council asked Representative Kemenick to add a fixed minimum penalty of $500 to ensure late filers are brought into compliance and to reduce staff time spent chasing late reports.

Wirt described late filings as most often a problem with smaller elevators and roving buyers; he said larger processors typically comply. He said the measure would leave the 10% penalty in place while adding a floor so enforcement is practicable.

Representatives of the North Dakota Grain Dealers Association and other first purchasers testified neutral or raised concerns. Stu Letcher, representing the grain dealers, said first purchasers receive no dedicated compensation for collecting and filing assessments and noted that some small elevators and roving grain buyers handle small transaction volumes; a fixed $500 penalty could be punitive for low‑volume handlers. \"If you put a $500 minimum, I'd consider that probably punitive, depending upon ... it might be the margin they're making,\" Letcher said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about timing and refund procedures. The hearing record includes these operational points from testimony: assessment reports are due quarterly; the grower has 90 days to request a check‑off refund; and the statutory penalty rate previously cited includes a 6% per annum interest rate on unpaid amounts (one committee member noted the statutory interest language may be older and should be reviewed).

No formal committee action or vote appears in the hearing transcript. Representatives urged the sponsors to consider outreach, notices and possible alternatives (including compensation or administrative changes) for small operators if the committee advances the bill.

Ending: Testimony closed with an invitation for additional conversation; the committee moved on to the next bill without a vote recorded in the transcript.","Representatives and industry witnesses told the committee House Bill 1136 would add a fixed minimum penalty ($500) for late or unsubmitted oilseed assessment reports to ease enforcement, while representatives of first purchasers urged caution about unintended consequences for small elevators and roving buyers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382810,"House Ag Committee Hears Request for State Match to Expand Great Plains Food Bank Distribution Center",4228,307000,4535000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888&start=307&end=4535","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888/thumbnail_307000.jpg","/articles/6382810/North-Dakota/House-Ag-Committee-Hears-Request-for-State-Match-to-Expand-Great-Plains-Food-Bank-Distribution-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382810-251a6ac88a5553ce29c7b290e369b168/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165594&Signature=OEzpBSJ63gki4prg2HSFVmNeRH8mM7BI70stmGZ7IErLYYvnU2qTavWY1gQCVlbY7AXVdeyUapYStdVShfWoi69Iz4x65gistQjAUC5oALSAwECNPmyewG9rsg6E-d6qRXQ86jvEbQ~lgSoeDtLeDN7vTTWMdxYFDJNVvYiSyMjZ7P2Nw2vM045qNFhU-6RAZgrkI7bdoF8UUv2qN5SknZyv80v0n9pDmERoMkvdJUiPwDCRVV6Mn-VRG7hzBldkmFqDPpT~lnho0tvSx2PdSk5Q0cyGbZ5MNzDhKL9mdgnFWLBStn9Q~BXR9C3W~7t838M64gXz0ylEcdayxLfbUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Brandy Pyle, sponsor of House Bill 1143, asked the House Agriculture Committee to recommend a one-time state appropriation to match private funds for a larger, modern statewide distribution facility for the Great Plains Food Bank.

The bill, described by proponents as an infrastructure investment, would provide a state grant program administered by the Agriculture Commissioner to help construct a new distribution center that supporters say will expand capacity statewide. \"This bill represents an infrastructure investment that will serve the backbone to every county in the state,\" Representative Pyle said.

Melissa Sobolik, chief executive officer of the Great Plains Food Bank, told the committee the organization operates North Dakota’s only food bank and that demand has increased sharply. \"Last year alone, more than 156,000 North Dakotans visited a food pantry or a soup kitchen,\" Sobolik said, adding that the food bank distributed nearly £16,000,000 of food in 2024 and runs mobile pantries, school and senior programs statewide.

Sobolik described the proposed facility as a 70,000-square-foot building that would expand warehouse space by 57%, increase freezer/cooler capacity and add six loading docks, room for 100 volunteers at a time, ADA compliance and an allergen repack room. She said a comprehensive assessment found the current Fargo site is built on an old landfill, has roof, HVAC and electrical problems, lacks sufficient parking and is already at capacity.

Testimony presented a project budget and fundraising plan: a total project cost of $30,500,000 (including a 5% three‑year construction inflation allowance); existing fundraising and commitments that together account for roughly a third of that total; a $2,000,000 Community Development Block Grant COVID (CDBG‑CV) award through the Department of Commerce; $900,000 from board reserves; an estimated $2,500,000 sale of the current facility (expected to generate about $4,500,000 via New Markets Tax Credits); and $936,000 in private contributions raised to date. Sobolik said that, after those items, the campaign still faced a remaining fundraising gap of about $2,000,000 and that the bill’s state match would be dollar‑for‑dollar with privately raised dollars.

Committee members asked whether the state appropriation amount was targeted to in‑state construction contracts and whether Fargo was the right geographic location. Representative Pyle said the planned site is in Fargo and that organizers expect most contractors to be North Dakotans; Sobolik said Fargo was chosen for highway access (I‑29 and I‑94), proximity to donors and existing logistics and because the new site (3315 West Track Drive) is on nearly nine acres sold to the food bank in October 2024.

Representatives of local partners, nonprofit recipients and funders emphasized statewide impact. Representative Steve Swantek noted that more than 95% of the cities receiving food from Great Plains Food Bank are outside Cass County and that about 21% of distributed food goes west of Highway 83. Jim Barnhart of Dream Center Bismarck and Shirley Kilzer of the AMEN Food Pantry described reliance on Great Plains Food Bank supplies for local meal programs.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture and North Dakota Farmers Union and North Dakota Stockmen’s Association voiced support; John Schneider, representing the Agriculture Commissioner’s office, described past state and federal programs administered through the commissioner and said the commissioner supports the bill.

Committee members pressed for operational details: Sobolik said 61% of food handled is donated, 25% comes from USDA federal commodities, under 1% from food drives and roughly 14% is purchased; she said transportation, food costs and distribution dominate program spending and that 96% of funds go to programs and services. She also said the organization expects to break ground in early 2027 if the fundraising and matching appropriation proceed as planned.

The hearing record included inconsistent references to the size of the state appropriation during testimony: Representative Holly asked whether a \"$10,000,000\" appropriation would require North Dakota contractors, while John Schneider later described the bill as providing an \"$11,000,000 appropriation.\" The bill text as read at the hearing was characterized generically as an appropriation to the Agriculture Commissioner for a food distribution facility grant program; the committee did not vote on the measure during the hearing.

Discussion-only items, clarifying figures and next steps: testimony repeatedly described the request as a dollar-for-dollar matching grant that would be drawn down as private funds are raised and administered by the Department of Agriculture; supporters asked the committee for a \"do pass\" recommendation to move the bill forward. No formal motion or vote was recorded in the hearing transcript.

Ending: Proponents asked the committee to support House Bill 1143 and said the facility would increase capacity and resilience of hunger relief across all 53 counties; the hearing record closes with multiple organizations offering written materials and volunteers available to answer follow-up questions.","Supporters told the House Agriculture Committee that a new 70,000-square-foot distribution center in Fargo would increase statewide food distribution capacity and require a state dollar-for-dollar match to private fundraising; testimony gave project costs, fundraising progress and timeline but used differing appropriation figures in remarks.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382795,"House Ag Hears Measure Targeting Labeling and Sale of Cell‑Cultured Protein; Producers Seek Strong State Protections",2441,7406000,9847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888&start=7406&end=9847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126211-6169a51e12adb5912550a03005dc0888/thumbnail_7406000.jpg","/articles/6382795/North-Dakota/House-Ag-Hears-Measure-Targeting-Labeling-and-Sale-of-CellCultured-Protein-Producers-Seek-Strong-State-Protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382795-fdcf111cc746445ac89920a74c6e7c3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165594&Signature=Oh7eYVDMYcBajTIuPb6P3FLE62eDUIIVVZ-Ucrjtpz922neuPo7HPJyjPQ9SEKzi-rJkd7cR6luT6Wxo3bYxK1sbWpXCtAPR8r1SqLQkaILTN~crDaqDcv42UYP7gVdPsEhboUED1jsO3UKu3cXzPCEymBf8AJIY0uXtcXILOC~Dn5cECa7Nm0oUY85KD3yFV0BXvuHKBpGz8~4SSxox8oPBDoG1LsILFO4Oto0WnuzsZxM1~gT-AtWSU7yy2hzEEiMWiZHmLImDUiWUPcCn-nBF49WuuCFJp~ohSJZI7q84Jyfqv0l2HHcTMKjhDw~Jcu7CfdTk2VELglwcEmqogw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Mike Schatz introduced House Bill 1151, which would prohibit certain representations and the sale of cell‑cultured (lab‑grown) meat products in North Dakota. Sponsors and multiple agricultural organizations and individuals urged the committee to act to protect livestock producers and to ensure consumers can distinguish traditionally raised meat from lab‑cultured products.

\"This bill would prohibit the sale of laboratory produced fake meat products,\" Representative Schatz said in opening remarks, arguing the measure would protect the state’s livestock industry. Testimony in support included the North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, North Dakota Farmers Union, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota and many individual citizens, including students and local nonprofit representatives.

Proponents raised several themes: preservation of local agricultural livelihoods, uncertainty about long‑term health effects of cultured meat, doubts about environmental benefits and concerns about labeling and potential consumer confusion. Rachel Gross of the North Dakota Farm Bureau asked the committee to \"consider this amendment which if enacted would offer protection to North Dakota producers and it would ensure that there is safety for all North Dakotans, as we have an assurance that any products sold here are truly legitimate meat.\" The Independent Beef Association and the Stockmen’s Association expressed support but also urged careful statutory language to reduce legal exposure.

Tim Eberly, vice president of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, said the association \"stands in soft support of this bill\" but cautioned that an outright ban could invite constitutional challenges and suggested working with the committee and stakeholders on amendments that would strengthen labeling and reduce litigation risk. Ryan Gregg of the North Dakota Farmers Union recommended preserving existing state labeling law (North Dakota Century Code 4.1‑31‑05.1) and proposed striking a section of the draft bill that could weaken current labeling protections.

Multiple public commenters — including students and local volunteers — told the committee they were concerned about potential health risks, production costs and rural economic impacts. Testimony included assertions about production costs per pound and claims that cultured‑meat production could require large fermentation capacity and pose food‑safety questions; those claims were presented as opinions by witnesses and not adjudicated in the hearing.

Committee members asked whether the measure is likely to produce litigation; witnesses acknowledged pending litigation in other states. Several witnesses cited Florida and other states as examples where similar measures have been proposed or enacted and noted ongoing legal challenges.

Ending: Livestock and farm organizations asked for committee action but also requested time to work with sponsors on amendments to tighten labeling language and reduce legal exposure; the committee did not adopt amendments or vote during the hearing. The chair said stakeholders would have additional time to refine language before committee action.","Sponsor and livestock groups asked the committee to bar sale or misrepresentation of cell‑cultured meat; farm and ranch organizations supported prohibition or strong labeling, while other witnesses raised health and environmental concerns. Industry groups urged care on drafting to limit litigation risk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DPI Says Federal Rules Bar Whole/2% Milk From Reimbursable School Meals; Sponsor Seeks Bulk‑dispensing Option

Oilseed Council Seeks Minimum Penalty for Late Assessment Filings; House Ag Hears Bill

House Ag Committee Hears Request for State Match to Expand Great Plains Food Bank Distribution Center

House Ag Hears Measure Targeting Labeling and Sale of Cell‑Cultured Protein; Producers Seek Strong State Protections