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Committee tightens school funding bill to verify 'at‑risk' status and fund free meals for reduced‑price students
Summary
Lawmakers amended SB 387 to require school districts to verify household gross earned income for students defined as 'at risk' under state law (distinct from National School Lunch Program verification) and to authorize state aid to make reduced‑price meals free, subject to appropriation; both amendments passed by voice vote and the bill was advanced.
The committee considered Senate Bill 387, which would require school districts to verify household gross earned income of students claimed as "at risk" for the purposes of state at‑risk weighting under the Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act. Tamara, the reviser, summarized the bill and its interaction with federal programs.
Senator Shane offered a committee amendment to clarify that income verification would be used only to define the state at‑risk designation and would not be used as verification under the National School Lunch Act. Shane said the change was intended to avoid conflict with federal rules while ensuring state dollars are directed to students who qualify for at‑risk weighting. He cited a Legislative Post Audit finding of approximately $30 million to $50 million in overpayments as justification for tightening verification.
Committee members raised concerns about federal preemption, administrative burden on school districts, and potential effects on families. Senator Hoelscher said the amendment might still create an unfunded mandate and questioned whether the education committee was the best venue; Senator Alley sought clarification on whether a student could qualify under other categories even if not eligible for SNAP.
The committee approved the first amendment by voice vote. Shane then introduced a second amendment to provide state aid, subject to appropriations, to reimburse school districts so that students eligible for reduced‑price meals would receive one free breakfast and one free lunch per school day. Shane cited an informal governor's office estimate of about $2.5 million for the cost; no legislative fiscal note was on the record at the time of the hearing.
Committee members debated the fiscal tradeoffs and suggested savings from improved fraud detection could offset costs. The second amendment passed by voice vote. Senator Shane moved to pass SB 387 as amended; the reviser asked to work with the maker and the chair to finalize committee report language, and the committee advanced the bill by voice vote.
