Providing state general funds for school meals programs and prohibiting local boards from collecting money for such meals.
Impact
The modifications introduced by SB123 are expected to significantly impact the existing statutes related to school meal funding in Kansas. By reinforcing the state's financial responsibility towards school meals, local boards will be relieved of the financial burden associated with collecting fees for reduced price meals. This change not only promotes equity in access to food for students but also may influence how local boards budget and allocate resources towards other educational needs. The bill's enactment indicates a shift in focus towards prioritizing student well-being and nutrition, aligning with broader educational goals.
Summary
Senate Bill No. 123, introduced by Senator Holscher, aims to enhance the funding structure for reduced price school meals in Kansas. The bill proposes to increase state reimbursements to local school boards for meals served under an approved program, specifically raising the amount from six cents to forty cents per meal. This initiative is designed to support lower-income students who are eligible for reduced price meals, thereby aiming to improve access to nutritious food at schools. Additionally, the bill prohibits local school boards from collecting payment for these reduced price meals from participating students, ensuring that these meals remain truly affordable for those in need.
Contention
While the bill is aimed at enhancing access to nutrition for students, debates around local versus state control may arise. Some stakeholders may argue that restricting local boards from charging for meals diminishes their autonomy to manage local programs according to specific community needs. Furthermore, opponents could potentially raise concerns about the long-term sustainability of increased funding from the state general fund, questioning whether these appropriations can be maintained amid budget constraints. Balancing these differing views on education financing and community needs will be a critical aspect as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
Requiring public schools and school districts to participate in federal meal programs and providing for reimbursement for free meals at all public schools and school districts.
Authorizing a transfer of state general fund moneys to the local ad valorem tax reduction fund in fiscal year 2025 and all fiscal years thereafter, requiring political subdivisions to credit all such moneys to residential property taxpayers in the form of a rebate and providing a formula for such rebate amount.
Providing for the distribution of local ad valorem tax reduction fund (LAVTRF) moneys from the state to residential property taxpayers in the form of rebates.
Prohibiting abortion procedures except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman and providing a private cause of action for civil enforcement of such prohibition.
Prohibiting abortion procedures except when necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman and providing a private cause of action for civil enforcement of such prohibition.
House Substitute for SB 83 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the state department of education for FY 2024, establishing the sunflower education equity act to provide education savings accounts for qualified students, requiring school districts to provide a salary increase to all licensed teachers and defining enrollment of small school districts as the highest enrollment from the preceding four years under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.
Discontinuing state property tax levies for the Kansas educational building fund and the state institutions building fund and providing for financing therefor from the state general fund.
House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.
Providing additional student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program and increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program.
House Substitute for SB 37 by Committee on Financial Institutions and Pensions - Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, establishing a 0% state rate for sales and use taxes for food and food ingredients on July 1, 2024, and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district, abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund and providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund.