SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2448

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Education, February 25, 2002

Title:  An act relating to authorizing access to school meal programs and kitchen facilities.

Brief Description:  Authorizing access to school meal programs and kitchen facilities.

Sponsors:  Representatives Quall, Talcott, Haigh and Cox.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Education:  2/21/02, 2/25/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators McAuliffe, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Carlson, Finkbeiner, Hochstatter, Johnson, Kastama, Prentice, Rasmussen, Regala and Zarelli.

Staff:  Kelly Simpson (786‑7403)

Background:  Under current law, school districts may operate lunchrooms for students and staff and for school or employee functions.  However, expenditures for food supplies may not exceed estimated revenues.

Additionally, school districts may furnish meals at cost to the elderly, private school students, and children participating in educational activities conducted by nonprofit organizations.

Summary of Bill:  School districts may expand the access to their meal programs to include serving (1) volunteers, (2) public agencies or associations that serve public entities while using school facilities, and (3) other child nutrition programs.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Enactment of this bill would be a good way to make the public feel more welcome in the schools by allowing school districts to serve meals to school volunteers.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Quall, sponsor; Ken McCulloch, PSE.