House of Representatives

HB 2211

school breakfast incentive program

Sponsors: Representatives Loredo, Carruthers, Avelar, et al

Dp	Committee on Education
DpA	Committee on Appropriations
DPA	Caucus and COW	This bill as introduced contains an Appropriation clause.
x	As Passed the House

HB 2211 appropriates $1.1 million in FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 to establish a two-year school breakfast incentive pilot program. HB 2211 provides financial incentives of up to five cents per meal per child to school districts that participate in the federal school breakfast program (SBP).

History

The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally subsidized meal program established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. K-12 public schools or non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions are eligible to participate in the SBP. Any child at a participating school may purchase a meal through the SBP. However, children whose families meet income criteria may receive free or reduced-price breakfasts. Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for free meals. Those between 130% to 185% FPL are eligible for reduced-price meals.

For school year 2000-2001, the federal reimburse rates are as follows:

	Non-severe need school	Severe need school
Paid Meal – federal subsidy	$0.21	$0.21
Reduced Price Meal	$0.82	$1.03
Free Meal	$1.12	$1.33

The federal program prohibits schools from charging more than $0.30 for reduced price meals. In Arizona, the average cost of providing a free breakfast is approximately $1.30 per student. Therefore, non-severe need schools subsidize the SBP for reduced price meals and free meals approximately the difference between $1.30 and $1.12. According to a December 2000 report by the Arizona Department of Education, there are approximately 240 schools that do not offer the federal school breakfast program.

HB 2211 provides an up to five cent state subsidy for each meal per child for the SBP and requires the state to market and provide information regarding the program.

Provisions

· Appropriates $1.1 million in both FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 (for a total biennial appropriation of $2.2 million) to the Department of Education to establish a two-year school breakfast state program.

· Provides that the Department of Education shall reimburse school districts that participate in the federal school breakfast program up to an additional five cents per meal for each child that participates in the school breakfast program.

· Requires the Department of Education to compile a report on school participation and nonparticipation in the federal school breakfast program. The Department of Education shall submit the report to the Governor’s Office and the Legislature. The report shall include the data on participation rates, a summary of reasons of why schools choose not to offer the school breakfast program, and recommendations on the continuation, expansion or discontinuance of the school breakfast incentive and marketing program.

· Contains a delayed repeal of January 1, 2004.

The Appropriation Committee amended the bill as follows:

· Changed the appropriation from $2.4 million to $1.1 million.

· Provided that the Department shall reimburse each meal at the cost of five cents per meal.

· Eliminated the marketing aspect to the program.

The Committee of the Whole adopted the Appropriation Committee amendment.

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45th Legislature

First Regular Session 2 April 17, 2001

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