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Bill > SB67
WI SB67
Providing state aid to reimburse public and private schools that provide free meals to all pupils for the costs of those meals and making an appropriation. (FE)
summary
Introduced
02/21/2025
02/21/2025
In Committee
02/21/2025
02/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill provides additional state aid to public and private schools in this state that provide free meals to all pupils. Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction makes payments to school districts, private schools, independent charter schools, tribal schools, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired to partially match the federal contribution under the National School Lunch Program, under which schools provide free or reduced-price lunches to low-income children. Currently, the state share for school lunches is a variable percentage of the amount of the federal basic LRB-2213/1 KMS:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 67 reimbursement, which is then allocated among eligible schools according to the number of lunches served during the prior school year. Also under current law, DPI provides a per meal reimbursement to school districts, private schools, and tribal schools that provide breakfast to pupils under the federal School Breakfast Program. Currently, the state provides a per meal reimbursement of $0.15 for each breakfast served under the program, but, if there is insufficient funding to pay the full amount, DPI prorates the payments. Under the bill, a school is eligible for additional state reimbursement for lunches and breakfasts served in a school year if the school 1) participates in both the National School Lunch Program and the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year; and 2) for each school day in which school is in session during the school year, provides to any pupil who requests one, at no cost to the pupil, one lunch and one breakfast that meet the federal food, nutritional, and other requirements for meals served under the federal programs. Under the bill, DPI must reimburse an eligible school a per meal amount that is equal to the federal reimbursement rate applicable to the eligible school under the applicable federal program for a meal served to a pupil who satisfies the income eligibility criteria for a free lunch, minus any amount the eligible school receives from the federal government to pay for those meals. In other words, the bill guarantees that an eligible school will receive a total amount in state and federal aid that will reimburse the eligible school an amount equal to the free meal reimbursement rate for each meal the eligible school serves. The additional state reimbursement under the bill is available to school districts, independent charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, residential care centers for children and youth, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired that meet the eligibility requirements. Under the bill, if a school does not meet the eligibility requirements for the additional state reimbursement for a school year, all of the following apply: 1. If the school participates in the National School Lunch Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school an amount required to meet the state[s matching obligation under the federal program. 2. If the school participates in the federal School Breakfast Program for the school year, DPI will reimburse the school $0.15 for each breakfast served under the federal program, without proration. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill provides additional state aid to public and private schools that offer free meals to all pupils, starting in the 2025-26 school year. Under the proposed legislation, schools will be eligible for enhanced reimbursement if they participate in both the National School Lunch Program and the Federal School Breakfast Program, and commit to providing one free lunch and one free breakfast to any pupil who requests it each school day. The state will reimburse schools an amount equal to the federal reimbursement rate for free meals, minus any existing federal funding, effectively guaranteeing full meal cost coverage for schools that meet the requirements. This includes reimbursements for a wide range of educational institutions such as public schools, charter schools, private schools, tribal schools, residential care centers, and specialized educational programs for deaf, hard of hearing, and visually impaired students. The bill reflects the legislative intent that no child should experience hunger and that every school-age child should have access to at least two healthy, nutritious meals during the school day. The changes will be implemented gradually, with full implementation beginning in the 2026-27 school year, and the bill aims to provide comprehensive support for school meal programs across Wisconsin.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (60)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D)*,
Dora Drake (D)*,
Jodi Habush Sinykin (D)*,
Dianne Hesselbein (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Sarah Keyeski (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Brad Pfaff (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Kelda Roys (D)*,
Jeff Smith (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Jamie Wall (D)*,
Bob Wirch (D)*,
Clint Anderson (D),
Deb Andraca (D),
Margaret Arney (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Jill Billings (D),
Brienne Brown (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Angelina Cruz (D),
Karen DeSanto (D),
Ben DeSmidt (D),
Steve Doyle (D),
Jodene Emerson (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Russell Goodwin (D),
Kalan Haywood (D),
Francesca Hong (D),
Andrew Hysell (D),
Jenna Jacobson (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Tara Johnson (D),
Karen Kirsch (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Renuka Mayadev (D),
Maureen McCarville (D),
Tip McGuire (D),
Vincent Miresse (D),
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),
Greta Neubauer (D),
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D),
Lori Palmeri (D),
Christian Phelps (D),
Pricilla Prado (D),
Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Joe Sheehan (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Lee Snodgrass (D),
Ryan Spaude (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Shelia Stubbs (D),
Lisa Subeck (D),
Sequanna Taylor (D),
Angelito Tenorio (D),
Randy Udell (D),
Robyn Vining (D),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 02/27/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb67 |
Fiscal Note - SB67: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb67/sb67_dpi.pdf |
BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB67.pdf |
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