Committee backs bill to make reduced‑price students eligible for free school meals; state would reimburse after federal funds

The Senate Education Committee voted to send to the finance committee a bill (Senate Bill 7 40) that would require local education agencies to provide free breakfasts and lunches to students who qualify for reduced‑price meals and direct the state to reimburse LEAs for those costs after federal funds are applied.

Sponsor Senator Harshbarger said the legislation would remove financial barriers for families already struggling to make ends meet. The bill modifies current statute by combining the free and reduced categories so that reduced‑price eligible students would receive meals at no cost and specifies that the state reimbursement would apply only after federal reimbursements are used.

Elizabeth Lee, a school nutrition manager from Dickson County, testified about local figures: in Dickson County about 10.8% of students are in the reduced‑price category; reduced‑price lunch in that district costs 40 cents per meal and breakfast 30 cents per meal. She also cited federal income eligibility thresholds discussed in committee: a family of four’s reduced‑price threshold was discussed around $40,560 to $57,720 in committee testimony. Committee members noted a fiscal note associated with the measure — Senator Harshbarger referenced a fiscal estimate of about $2.2 million — and forwarded the bill to finance for budget review. The committee vote was 6 ayes and 1 no, and the bill now goes to finance for funding and reimbursement details.