Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB123

Filed/Introduced
8/8/26  
Introduced
1/30/25  

Caption

Providing state general funds for school meals programs and prohibiting local boards from collecting money for such meals.

Impact

The modifications introduced by SB123 are expected to significantly impact the existing statutes related to school meal funding in Kansas. By reinforcing the state's financial responsibility towards school meals, local boards will be relieved of the financial burden associated with collecting fees for reduced price meals. This change not only promotes equity in access to food for students but also may influence how local boards budget and allocate resources towards other educational needs. The bill's enactment indicates a shift in focus towards prioritizing student well-being and nutrition, aligning with broader educational goals.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 123, introduced by Senator Holscher, aims to enhance the funding structure for reduced price school meals in Kansas. The bill proposes to increase state reimbursements to local school boards for meals served under an approved program, specifically raising the amount from six cents to forty cents per meal. This initiative is designed to support lower-income students who are eligible for reduced price meals, thereby aiming to improve access to nutritious food at schools. Additionally, the bill prohibits local school boards from collecting payment for these reduced price meals from participating students, ensuring that these meals remain truly affordable for those in need.

Contention

While the bill is aimed at enhancing access to nutrition for students, debates around local versus state control may arise. Some stakeholders may argue that restricting local boards from charging for meals diminishes their autonomy to manage local programs according to specific community needs. Furthermore, opponents could potentially raise concerns about the long-term sustainability of increased funding from the state general fund, questioning whether these appropriations can be maintained amid budget constraints. Balancing these differing views on education financing and community needs will be a critical aspect as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.