North Dakota Senate Bill SB2228

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Caption

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

Summary

SB 2228 appropriates $1 million in one-time general fund money to the North Dakota Department of Commerce for a rural grocery store sustainability grant program for the 2025-2027 biennium. The program is intended to preserve existing rural grocery stores and improve food access in communities across the state. The bill directs the department to create grant-awarding guidelines and to prioritize support for existing rural grocery stores before funding feasibility costs for reopening a store in a community that currently lacks one. The bill also limits how the grant money may be used. Funds may not be used for food processing or offsite preparation operations of a rural grocery store, which narrows the program to retail grocery preservation and related access goals rather than broader food business activities. The appropriation is designated as one-time funding, so it does not create an ongoing program funding obligation beyond the biennium unless later renewed by the legislature.

Impact

SB 2228 adds a new one-time appropriation to the Department of Commerce and authorizes the agency to administer a rural grocery store sustainability grant program. It does not amend existing regulatory statutes directly, but it does create a state-funded grant mechanism that will affect rural grocery stores, communities without grocery access, and the department’s grant administration practices. The bill is aimed at supporting food access and the continued operation of small-town grocery stores, especially in rural areas where market conditions can make grocery service difficult to sustain.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and a generally positive reception. It passed the Senate 40-6 and the House 75-17, indicating that most legislators viewed the proposal favorably. The voting pattern suggests agreement with the goal of supporting rural communities and improving access to food, even if some members were unconvinced about the spending approach or the scope of the program.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to have centered on the use of state general fund dollars, the effectiveness of grants as a tool for preserving rural grocery stores, and whether the state should prioritize existing stores over reopening efforts in communities without one. The bill’s restriction against using funds for food processing or offsite preparation may also reflect an effort to keep the program narrowly focused, which could limit support from those seeking broader rural food-system assistance. No committee transcript is available, so the specific objections of the six Senate and 17 House no votes are not documented in the provided materials.