Local optional aid for schools increased, state-paid free school lunches to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level limited, and money appropriated.

HF 2201 increases local optional aid for Minnesota schools and limits state-paid free school lunches to families with incomes at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill establishes a "free enhanced school meals program" requiring participating schools to provide two free meals per day (breakfast and lunch) to students from families earning between 185% and 500% of the federal poverty level. It amends school meal financing rules to adjust state aid payments and appropriates funds to support these changes, effective for fiscal year 2026. This directly affects schools, families with children in the specified income range, and the state's education budget.