All Roll Calls
Yes: 216 • No: 50
NebraskaLB966109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Adopt the Hunger-Free Schools Act and provide for an appropriation
Sponsored By: Machaela Cavanaugh
Signed by Governor
Education Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Free meals at pilot schools
Beginning in school year 2026-27, selected schools serve free breakfast or lunch to students who qualify for reduced-price meals. The pilot runs through school year 2031-32. The state reimburses each participating school the difference between the federal free and reduced-price rates for each eligible meal, based on meals served two school fiscal years earlier. Schools must report how many eligible meals they served to get paid.
Cash fund and two-year meal aid
The law creates the Hunger-Free Schools Cash Fund at the Department of Education. The fund can receive legislative transfers and donations and is invested under state rules. Money from the fund pays for the Hunger-Free Schools Act for public schools. For FY2026-27 and FY2027-28, the law provides $55,638 in General Funds and $1,151,180 in Cash Funds each year (total $1,206,818 per year) for state aid only. These dollars cannot be used for state employee salaries or per diems. The law also repeals an older related statute (section 79-10,137).
Study and rules for the pilot
The Department of Education studies the pilot’s impact on student academics and behavior using data from 2026-27 through 2031-32. Student privacy is protected under state and federal law. The department must report results by December 1, 2032. The State Board of Education adopts rules to run the program.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Machaela Cavanaugh
Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/10/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 38 • No: 11
legislature vote • 4/8/2026
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 12 • Other: 1
legislature vote • 4/8/2026
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 4 • Other: 8
legislature vote • 4/2/2026
Vote
Yes: 32 • No: 7 • Other: 10
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 36 • No: 12 • Other: 1
legislature vote • Unknown
Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 4 • Other: 8
Actions Timeline
Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 16, 2026
4/16/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 38-11*-0
4/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST99 recorded
4/8/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ST99 filed
4/8/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading with ST99
4/8/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/8/2026legislatureBosn AM3143 adopted
4/8/2026legislatureBosn AM3143 filed
4/8/2026legislaturePassed over
4/8/2026legislatureCavanaugh, M. AM3120 adopted
4/8/2026legislatureKauth FA622 withdrawn
4/8/2026legislatureCavanaugh, M. AM3120 filed
4/7/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File
4/7/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
4/2/2026legislaturePlaced on General File
2/24/2026legislatureHunt priority bill
2/19/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for February 17, 2026
2/6/2026legislatureReferred to Education Committee
1/14/2026legislatureKauth FA622 filed
1/13/2026legislatureDate of introduction
1/12/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
1/12/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted
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