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HB 7273 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY WAYS TO FUND A UNIVERSAL FREE SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAM.

HB 7273 establishes a working group to study how to fund a universal free school meals program for all public school students. The group will examine required funding amounts, potential sources like dedicated taxes, program rules, and other relevant factors. The working group, made up of legislative committee chairs, school representatives, and nutrition experts, must submit its report to the legislature by January 1, 2026, with no immediate cost to the state or municipalities.
Issues: ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes working group to study funding mechanisms for universal school meals, advancing student nutrition access within K-12 education policy.85% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 9, 2025 Last action May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → FIN Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was completely rewritten from a tax on sweetened beverages to create a working group that studies how to fund universal free school meals. Instead of immediately imposing a tax, the new version establishes a committee to examine funding options and make recommendations before any tax is enacted.
Scope change
The bill's scope changed from an immediate tax on distributors and retailers of sweetened beverages to a study group that examines various funding mechanisms for school meals.
SCOPE

Removed the tax on sweetened beverages, syrups, and powders that was the main purpose of the original bill.

REQUIREMENT

Added creation of a working group to study ways to fund universal free school meals, including examining funding amounts, sources, and program parameters.

TIMELINE

Added requirement that the working group submit a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2026, or when the report is submitted, whichever is later.

DEFINITION

Removed detailed definitions for terms like distributor, sweetened beverage, syrup, powder, and various exemptions that were needed for the tax.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific composition requirements for the working group, including committee chairpersons, school representatives, and public health experts.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.