Assemblymembers seek statewide universal school breakfasts and lunches; amendment would exclude Clark County and scale funding

Assembly Bill 268, presented by Assemblymembers Sandra Howdighi and Shay Backus, would establish universal free breakfast and lunch for all students in Nevada public schools. Presenters framed the proposal as an equity and learning-support measure, citing research and district experience that show nutrition improves concentration, attendance and academic performance.

Howdighi said the bill would address families who do not qualify for existing free-or-reduced-price programs but still struggle with food costs. "By ensuring that every child starts their day with a nutritious meal, we equip them with the tools they need to focus, engage, and excel in their studies," she said. Presenters noted Feeding America estimates and cited surveys indicating food insecurity rates in Nevada.

Following consultations with Clark County School District (CCSD), sponsors filed an amendment that removes CCSD from the appropriation and reduces the requested appropriation from $43 million per fiscal year to $16.5 million per fiscal year. Howdighi said CCSD already provides universal meals to its students; the amendment aims to avoid duplicative funding while targeting other districts that lack districtwide community eligibility.

Brad Keating of CCSD described operational practices districts use to limit waste and ensure students are served: offer versus serve (OVS), food-sharing tables and daily tracking. Keating told the committee that on the prior Thursday CCSD provided 85,236 breakfasts, 165,331 lunches, 1,723 snacks and 8,872 suppers, and that the district measures production and plate-level consumption to limit waste.

Supporters included Washoe County School Board president Beth Smith; the Food Bank of Northern Nevada; Nevada State Education Association; Children’s Advocacy Alliance; Nevada Association of School Superintendents; Nevada Association of School Boards; SEIU 1107; OneAPI Nevada; and others. Supporters said universal meals reduce stigma, lower food insecurity and decrease unpaid meal debt; Washoe County reported about $50,000 in unpaid meal debt for the prior semester after federal pandemic-era universal programs ended.

Opponents included Nevada Families for Freedom, Nevada Republican Party representatives and other callers who argued the program is too costly, risks waste and reduces parental responsibility. Opponents referenced national studies and USDA and OMB findings on improper payments and food waste in school meal programs.

Sponsors emphasized the amendment as a cost-savings step that preserves funding for districts that do not offer universal meals. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing; the committee closed after testimony and sponsor remarks.