Bill > HB1797

This bill transfers responsibility for the National School Lunch Act from the State Board of Education to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Specifically, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry will now be designated as the state educational agency for the National School Lunch Act, with full authority to accept federal funding, enter into agreements, secure and administer benefits, and provide general supervision of the school lunch program. The bill creates a new "School Lunch Workshop Revolving Fund" in the State Treasury, which will consist of fees from workshops and sales of materials related to the school lunch program. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry is authorized to sponsor workshops, develop and distribute materials, and apportion funds to school districts for providing meals in compliance with federal nutrition laws. The bill removes all previous provisions related to school lunch programs from the State Board of Education's responsibilities, effectively shifting the entire administrative oversight of the school lunch program to the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. This change will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1797&Session=2600