Panel approves bill letting schools decide whether vending machines stay powered on

The Senate Education Committee approved House Bill 17‑83 to give school districts discretion over whether vending machines in grades 7–12 remain powered during school hours.

Representative Keith Brooks presented the one‑page bill on behalf of Representative Tillett, saying Arkansas is currently the only state that requires machines to be powered down during a block of the school day and that the change would ‘‘create a little bit of simplicity’’ and allow access for older students. Brooks told the committee that the Healthy Snacks Initiative (February 2015) already governs what can be sold.

On energy costs, Brooks provided figures: average energy in Arkansas is about 9.42¢ per kilowatt hour; modern energy‑efficient vending machines use about 1,450 kWh per year (about $136 annually), and leaving machines on for an additional five hours a school day would cost roughly 7¢ per day. After brief questions, the committee voted by voice to pass the bill.

Supporters framed the change as small in cost but helpful for student access; no public opposition was recorded during the hearing. The committee approved the bill and adjourned.