Legislators killed a second bill aimed at covering the costs of school meals for families facing food insecurity in South Dakota.
Rep. Tyler Tordsen’s (R-Sioux Falls) House Bill 1238 would’ve covered costs for families with incomes less than 209% of the poverty line who aren’t already eligible for free or reduced-price meals through federal programs. The Department of Education would reimburse school districts for the costs incurred in providing those meals.
Six legislators on the House Committee on Appropriations voted to kill Tordsen’s bill after eight legislators in the House Education committee voted to refer it to appropriators last week.
A similar bill brought by Rep. Kadyn Wittman (D-Sioux Falls) that would’ve covered the cost of breakfast and lunch for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, House Bill 1042, was killed by eight of 15 members of the House Education committee more than two weeks ago because of its estimated annual cost of $578,000.
Tordsen said his bill would’ve created a state reduced-price meal program for families who are struggling, but who are also making just a little too much to qualify for other forms of assistance. He said it would’ve also benefited the nearly 13% of children who face food insecurity in the state.