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Supporters Urge Expansion of Free School Meals to 300% of Poverty; Fiscal Note and Funding Questions Loom
Summary
HB 665 would raise eligibility for free school meals to households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Supporters—including lawmakers, health advocates and nonprofits—said expanded access would reduce food insecurity and improve learning; Department of Education fiscal estimates and proposed funding sources were discussed but parties
Lawmakers heard testimony on HB 665, a bill that would expand eligibility for free school meals to families with household incomes up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Representative Muriel Hall, the bill’s sponsor, told the committee a bipartisan study committee recommended expanding eligibility and that the bill’s goal is to ensure that “no student is sitting at a desk trying to learn while hungry.” Hall said the minority recommendation on that legislative study favored a 300% level and urged the committee to consider that broader threshold to reduce hunger and improve educational outcomes.
Witnesses included health and anti‑hunger organizations and local…
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