A recap of recent events and happenings in the administration of Gov. Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Strinden





The Scope
________________________________________________________________________



*December 12, 2025*

________________________________________________________________________


special session
SAVE THE DATE: Armstrong eyes Jan. 21 as tentative date for special legislative session

*Focus of session will be appropriating federal funds for Rural Health Transformation Program; HHS awaiting official notice of funding award*

 

Gov. Kelly Armstrong informed legislative leaders that he has identified Jan. 21 as the tentative date for a special session of the 69th Legislative Assembly to act on anticipated federal funding for North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program.

North Dakota submitted its funding application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 3. The application outlines how the state will invest more than $500 million over five years to strengthen rural health care by improving access, quality and outcomes for North Dakotans in rural communities. CMS is expected to announce award decisions by Dec. 31.

The Legislature must appropriate the dollars before they can be spent. Armstrong worked with legislative leaders to identify the tentative dates for the special session. Once the state receives notice of the funding award from CMS, the governor will issue an executive order officially convening the Legislature for the special session.

“We have an incredible opportunity to strengthen and reshape rural health care in North Dakota through the Rural Health Transformation Program,” Armstrong said. “I appreciate the collaboration with legislative leadership and look forward to a special session laser-focused on the task at hand – appropriating these federal dollars in the most efficient and effective way possible to improve the well-being of our citizens.”

The Rural Health Transformation Program was signed into law as part of the federal Working Families Tax Cut Act. It empowers North Dakota to reimagine how rural health care is delivered and create innovative, lasting solutions that meet the needs of local communities.

The state’s application centers on four strategic initiatives: strengthening and stabilizing rural health workforce; making North Dakota healthy again with preventive care and healthy eating; bringing high-quality health care closer to home; and connecting technology, data and providers for a stronger North Dakota.

The application was shaped predominantly from stakeholder feedback and support from North Dakota lawmakers. To gather input, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a 30-day survey that received more than 1,200 responses and hosted three listening sessions attended by over 300 participants.

The federal law appropriates $50 billion over five years, splitting half equally among all states. The other half will be given to states based on their applications and metrics that show where the funding can make the biggest health impact in rural communities.

To learn more about the Rural Health Transformation Program and to review the state’s application, visit hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________



USDA Secretary approves ND’s SNAP food waiver, another step toward becoming healthiest state
rollins

Gov. Armstrong thanked U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins for approving [ [link removed] ] North Dakota’s application for a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food-choice waiver.

Joined by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rollins announced the approval of SNAP food-choice waivers for North Dakota and five other states – Hawai‘i, Missouri, South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee – under the Make America Healthy Again initiative. The waivers will amend the statutory definition of “food for purchase” under SNAP beginning in 2026.

“By investing in healthier food purchases with SNAP, we are taking a proactive step toward becoming the healthiest state in the nation,” Armstrong said. “This waiver will lead to better health outcomes and quality of life for North Dakotans who participate in SNAP.”

In accordance with the approved waiver, North Dakota will begin implementing the new restrictions by September 2026. Food and beverages that will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits include:


* Soft drinks (soda, pop, etc.)
* Energy drinks
* Candy and confections, including cake decorations (edible), chewing gum, breath
* mints and licorice
* Baking ingredients, including almond bark, marshmallows, baking chocolate (as bars, drops or pieces); chocolate or butterscotch chips
* Chocolate-covered nuts, candy-coated nuts, honey-roasted nuts, caramel apples, trail mix with candy pieces
* Cereal bars (sweetened & without flour) & energy bars containing a “supplemental facts” box.

“The SNAP waiver encourages North Dakotans to make more nutritious food choices that not only reduce chronic disease rates, but also foster long-term health, vitality, and stronger communities,” said Pat Traynor, commissioner for North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS). “This decision will help us achieve our goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation.”

“SNAP benefit amounts are based on the USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan which outlines the cost for households to meet the nutritional needs necessary to achieve a healthy diet. The amount is intended to supplement a household’s food budget,” said HHS Economic Assistance Director Michele Gee. “This waiver addresses public health challenges across North Dakota by ensuring that people are using their SNAP benefits to purchase the healthiest options available.”

HHS will begin working with SNAP retailers to prepare for the changes that will take effect by September 2026.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to help families buy groceries. Currently 29,250 North Dakota households are receiving SNAP benefits, totaling 58,570 people. Of those households, 42% include a person under 18 years old, 30% include a person 60 years of age or older and 32% include a person with a disability.

If you have questions about SNAP, visit hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp [ [link removed] ] or contact the Customer Support Center by email at [email protected]; phone Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, at 866-614-6005 or 701-328-1000, 711 (TTY); or mail to Customer Support Center, P.O. Box 5562, Bismarck, ND 58506. You can also contact a local human service zone office [ [link removed] ]. 

________________________________________________________________________


hunt
*Lt. Gov. Strinden joins Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows program focused on education*

Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden participated in the 12th cohort of the Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows program. The cohort focused on education as an investment to strengthen the nation's economy and society, providing attendees with the knowledge to cultivate smart and effective education agendas.

Participants attended a number of sessions highlighting research and analyses on successful education policies and practices and were introduced to leaders directing successful reform efforts across the nation.

"This program was a great opportunity to work with a bipartisan group of senior policymakers from across the nation to champion education and uplift fairness-focused solutions for our schools and students," Strinden said.

________________________________________________________________________


WOTUS
*Armstrong voices support for revised ‘Waters of the U.S.’ as good for ND ag, energy, businesses* 

Gov. Armstrong shared his support for the revised definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers, which will provide certainty and common-sense regulation for farmers, businesses and consumers.

U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer hosted EPA and Army Corps officials at a listening session Friday at Bismarck State College for the proposed WOTUS rule, which is open for a 45-day comment period through Jan. 5. Among those attending were EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Peggy Browne, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Lee Forsgren.

“The Biden-era WOTUS rule was an existential crisis for North Dakota. It represented massive federal overreach that would have been catastrophic for North Dakota’s farmers and ranchers, energy producers and small businesses. That’s why our state has been the tip of the spear in pushing back on previous rules that would have harmed our state,” Armstrong said. “The Trump administration’s proposed rule protects our water resources while protecting and preserving private property rights. Under this new rule, farmers and ranchers won’t have to worry about asking the federal government for permission before they can plant a soybean crop or run cows on their pasture. It’s great to be up here knowing that North Dakota voices will actually be heard.”

Members of Armstrong’s Cabinet also spoke favorably on the revised WOTUS definition, offering minor clarifications, including Department of Water Resources Director Reice Haase, Department of Environmental Quality Director Dave Glatt, and Department of Transportation Director Ron Henke. Also providing comments were state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Drew Wrigley, who serve on the state Industrial Commission chaired by Armstrong.

The proposed rule revises the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act.

North Dakota and 23 other states successfully sued the EPA and Army Corps in 2023 over the Biden administration’s overreaching WOTUS rule, convincing a federal judge to block rule from being implemented. The U.S. Supreme Court subsequently found in "Sackett v. EPA" that the Biden EPA’s interpretation of WOTUS was inconsistent with the Clean Water Act and would impinge on states’ traditional authority to regulate land and water.

On Nov. 17, the EPA and Army Corps under the Trump administration announced a proposed updated definition of WOTUS, saying it will play a key role in EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative by protecting water resources, strengthening cooperative federalism, and supporting American industry, energy producers, the technology sector, farmers, ranchers, developers, businesses and landowners

Comments on the revised definition may be submitted here [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________


tree lighting
Gov. Armstrong, First Lady Kjersti host first Christmas Tree lighting ceremony

Gov. Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong hosted the annual North Dakota State Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony with music, readings and remarks in Memorial Hall at the Capitol.

The first lady selected “Peace” as the theme of this year’s State Christmas Tree, which has been decorated with handmade ornaments submitted by the public over the years. 

This year’s ceremony featured performances by the 2025 Governor’s Band and Chorus – the St. Mary’s Central High School Wind Orchestra of Bismarck and the Davies High School Vivace group of Fargo.

The ceremony was also livestreamed on the governor’s Facebook page [ [link removed] ]. 

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



*IN OTHER NEWS*

________________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________________



NDACo

Gov. Armstrong met with the North Dakota Association of Counties Board to discuss the successful property tax relief and reform that passed last session, as well as the upcoming special legislative session and other topics.



________________________________________________________________________



GPFB

Lt. Gov. Strinden joined the Great Plains Food Bank at the 19th annual Fill the Dome day. Students from schools all around Fargo-Moorhead helped raise more than $50,000 during the event, this year with a “super hero” theme. 



________________________________________________________________________



marketplace

Gov. Armstrong and Lt. Gov. Strinden met with kids taking part in the Marketplace for Kids event at the Capitol. These elementary and middle school students are building critical leadership skills and are getting involved beyond the classroom by exploring different career fields.



________________________________________________________________________



BAND

Gov. Armstrong spoke at the Broadband Association of North Dakota to disucss how North Dakota can reach 100% connectivity. NDIT recently announced federal approval of North Dakota's BEAD plan (Broadband Equity, Access and Development), positioning North Dakota to become the first state in the nation to offer high-speed fiber connectivity to every user — we’re currently at 95%.



________________________________________________________________________



water

Gov. Armstrong was honored with the Andy Mork Riverman Award at the 62nd annual Joint North Dakota
Water Convention & Irrigation Workshop and Upper Missouri Water Association Conference for his dedication and recognition of the importance of the Missouri River to the state of North Dakota.



________________________________________________________________________









Stay Connected with the Governor's Office:



[ [link removed] ]    [ [link removed] ]    [ [link removed] ]    [ [link removed] ]



 

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using govDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: The State of North Dakota · 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 110
Bismarck, ND 58505-0400 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]

body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;}