JBC discusses $8 million interim funding for Healthy School Meals for All, debates using Prop FF-linked state education funds

The Joint Budget Committee on Monday reviewed a short-term financing plan to keep the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program operating through December while voters decide whether to retain the program longer.

Committee staff presented an option the committee characterized as an $8.1 million gap that would allow HSMA to operate at current levels for the first half of fiscal 2025–26 and scale back to targeted, low‑income schools if voters reject the measure in November. "Page 12 of the blue packet here...this is basically the same material that I presented," said Miss Bickel, a staff member who briefed the committee.

The nut of the committee discussion centered on where to draw that $8 million and whether to preserve or eliminate statutory over‑expenditure authority (a potential June 30 1331 mechanism) should revenues fall short. Representative Byrd pressed staff on guardrails that could require a payback to the State Education Fund (SEF) if Prop FF revenue later materializes. "I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of…