128th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 816 LR 1526(01)
An Act To Promote Academic Achievement through Hunger Relief for Maine Children
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
Sponsor: Sen. Breen of Cumberland
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
FY 2017-18 FY 2018-19 Projections  FY 2019-20 Projections  FY 2020-21
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $592,712 $492,712 $492,712 $492,712
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $592,712 $492,712 $492,712 $492,712
Fiscal Detail and Notes
The School Finance and Operations program within the Department of Education will require General Fund appropriations of $592,712 in fiscal year 2017-18 and $492,712 in fiscal year 2018-19 for the costs associated with the State funding the difference between the federal reimbursements for reduced-price school lunches and free school lunches.  Of that amount, $100,000 in fiscal year 2017-18 is required on a one-time basis in order for the department to modify the existing school meal software application.  The balance of $492,712 is required for the ongoing annual cost to fund the difference between the 2 lunch programs.  The department calculated this cost utilizing 2016 data in which 1,231,779 reduced lunches were served and the price difference between the reduced-price lunch and the free lunch was $0.40.