Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires each local school board to establish a school lunch program and a school breakfast program that provide a free breakfast and lunch to each student enrolled in a school under the board's jurisdiction; requires the state to reimburse each LEA for the cost of providing a free breakfast and lunch to each student enrolled in the LEA after all available federal funds have been applied. - Amends TCA Title 49.
HB 1458 requires all Tennessee public school districts to provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. It directly affects all students in Tennessee public schools and local school districts, mandating that school boards establish these meal programs. The bill specifies that the state will reimburse districts for meal costs after all available federal nutrition program funds (like the National School Lunch Program) have been applied. This policy change ensures universal access to free school meals without requiring additional local funding beyond federal reimbursements.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Last action Mar 24, 2026
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
9
Committee
11
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Taken off notice for cal. in Education Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/17/2026
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/17/2026
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/10/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/10/2026
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Education Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/3/2026
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Education Committee
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Clemmons
DDemocratic
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