MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — A bill aimed at helping South Dakota families pay for school meals is headed to Gov. Larry Rhoden after winning final approval in the Legislature on Monday.
House Bill 1082, sponsored by Rep. Kadyn Wittman of Sioux Falls, would use state funding to cover reduced-price meal costs for qualifying students in South Dakota public schools. Supporters say the measure would help pay for about 1.5 million meals served each year.
The proposal marks the fourth straight year Wittman has brought the idea to lawmakers. Previous versions failed to make it through the Legislature, but this year’s bill passed the House 46-20 in late February and the Senate 20-14 on Monday, sending it to the governor’s desk.
If signed into law, the bill would help families whose children qualify for reduced-price meals under federal guidelines, lowering the cost burden on households and school districts. According to South Dakota Searchlight, the program would cost the state about $592,000 annually.