This bill establishes the Public School Reduced-Price Meal Fund in Alaska, aimed at ensuring that school districts participating in national school meal programs do not charge fees for reduced-price meals provided to eligible students. The fund will consist of appropriated money from the legislature, donations, and interest earned, and will be distributed to participating school districts based on their costs for providing these meals, minus any federal reimbursements or state aid. If the fund does not have sufficient appropriations to fully compensate the districts, the distribution will be done on a pro-rata basis. The bill also clarifies that the fund does not create a dedicated fund and allows the department to spend the appropriated money without further appropriation.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to allow applicants for the Alaska permanent fund dividend to direct a portion of their dividend to the newly established Public School Reduced-Price Meal Fund, among other designated funds. The contribution options will be in increments of $25, $50, $75, $100, or more, up to the total amount of the dividend. The bill also includes provisions for maintaining a public electronic database of eligible organizations and funds, and it specifies that a coordination fee will not be withheld for contributions to the Public School Reduced-Price Meal Fund. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB0012A, AM HB 12, introduced 01/10/2025:
HB0012B, AM CSHB 12(EDC), introduced 04/13/2026: 43.23.130, 43.23.200, 14.03.128, 18.67.162