SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5982

                       AS PASSED SENATE, APRIL 20, 1991

Brief Description:  Replacing federal funding for free and reduced meals during the teachers' work stoppage.

SPONSORS:Senators McDonald, Roach, Johnson, McCaslin, Gaspard, Rinehart, Murray, Hayner, Wojahn and Snyder; by request of Governor Gardner and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

BACKGROUND:

Under federal law, school districts are prohibited from using federal funds to serve students free and reduced price meals when students are not attending school.  This prohibition applies to the period of the statewide teachers' strike which began April 18, 1991.  One-quarter of the state's students are eligible for free and reduced price school lunches and breakfasts.  The federal government funds over 95 percent of the cost through the national school lunch program, the school breakfast program, and the special milk program.   

SUMMARY:

An appropriation is made from the state general fund to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to replace federal funding of free and reduced price meals lost due to the teachers' work stoppage that began April 18, 1991. 

SPI may reimburse school districts for the free and reduced price meals they actually provide to children during the teachers' work stoppage, by the amount that normally would have been paid by the federal government.

Appropriation:  $2 million to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.