131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 1128 LR 852(02)
An Act to Address Student Hunger and Nutrition Through Expanded Access to Free Milk in Schools
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment " "
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
             
Fiscal Note
FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Projections  FY 2025-26 Projections  FY 2026-27
Net Cost (Savings)
General Fund $285,647 $0 $0 $0
Appropriations/Allocations
General Fund $285,647 $0 $0 $0
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $262,500 in fiscal year 2023-24 to a newly established Free Milk Fund within the Department of Education to reimburse school administrative units that participate in the National School Lunch Program and choose to provide milk at no cost to a student during the student's lunch regardless of whether that student receives a lunch through that program.  According to the Department of Education, this one-time funding is sufficient to reimburse 500 schools for 10 milks per day for each of the 175 school days in one school year.  Any unspent funds will carry forward into the next fiscal year to be used for the same purpose until all funds are expended.  The bill also includes a one-time General Fund appropriation of $23,147 in fiscal year 2023-24 to the School Finance and Operations program within the department to support the staffing and system enhancement costs to upgrade the claim reimbursement system.