The proposed bill establishes a state program aimed at providing replacement funding for school districts that choose to eliminate reduced-price copayments for eligible students participating in school lunch and breakfast programs. The legislation emphasizes the importance of adequate nutrition for learning and recognizes that requiring families to contribute to meal costs can hinder participation and create administrative burdens. The program will be administered by the superintendent of public instruction, who will distribute funds to districts that opt to remove these copayments. In the event that appropriated funds are insufficient, the superintendent is authorized to accept donations and request additional funding in future bienniums.

The bill includes an appropriation of $600,000 from the state general fund for each of the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, with the intention that this funding be considered part of the ongoing base for future legislative sessions. Additionally, if this bill and House Bill No. 2 are both passed, certain provisions in House Bill No. 2 regarding school lunch funding will be rendered void. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.