Increases the state subsidy for school lunch meals
This bill increases New York State's funding for school lunch programs by raising the per-meal subsidy from $0.1901 to $0.25 for each free, paid, and reduced-price lunch served. It directly affects school food authorities in New York that serve lunches to students, requiring them to certify they purchased at least 30% of their food products from New York state farmers, growers, or processors in the previous school year to qualify for the higher subsidy. The increased funding applies to all school lunch meals served starting July 1, 2022, and annually thereafter. The bill also removes the previous separate $0.0519 rate for reduced-price meals, consolidating the subsidy structure.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 6, 2025
Last action Feb 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
A6619
→
A6619A
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends New York's school lunch subsidy program by extending the subsidy start date from 2022 to 2027, introducing tiered funding rates based on local food procurement percentages, and adding new provisions for annual subsidy increases and application requirements.
Scope change
The bill expands the program's scope by adding new subsidy tiers based on local food purchase percentages and creating a transition period for existing recipients.
TIMELINE
Changed the school lunch subsidy start date from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2027.
FISCAL
Added tiered subsidy amounts based on local food procurement: 26 cents for 30-40% local purchases, 28 cents for 41-50%, and 30 cents for 51% or more.
REQUIREMENT
Added new subdivision b-1 requiring annual 1.5% subsidy increases and subdivision c-1 creating a three-year transition period for schools certified in 2026.
Added new subdivision c requiring formal applications with documentation of food purchases and attestation from chief operating officers.
ELIGIBILITY
Expanded eligibility criteria to include breakfast service and reimbursable snack programs alongside lunch service.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6619A
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO EDUCATION
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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