Bill > SB86

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program that will provide free school lunch to all students enrolled in Department of Education schools, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Under the program, the Department of Education is required to develop and implement free school lunches that meet federal meal requirements, ensuring no student is denied a meal due to inability to pay. The department must submit an interim report to the legislature by the 2026 regular session detailing the program's progress and preliminary results, and a final report by the 2027 regular session recommending whether the program should become permanent. The bill appropriates an unspecified amount of state general revenues to cover the total plate costs of the program after federal funding, with the understanding that any existing federal aid should not be jeopardized. The pilot program is set to terminate on June 30, 2027, at which point the existing school meal pricing regulations will be reinstated, requiring schools to charge for meals that cover at least half of their preparation costs, with provisions for reduced-cost or free meals based on economic need.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=86&year=2025