Committee backs voluntary tax-return donation to ease school meal debt

Representative McPherson presented HB 148 to allow individuals and corporations to make voluntary, non-deductible donations on state tax returns to a dedicated school-meals debt relief fund managed by the State Board of Education.

The bill requires local education agencies (LEAs) to report total unpaid school meal balances at the end of each school year and permits the board to distribute any collected funds to address meal debt; if an LEA does not use distributed funds for the stated purpose within 60 days, funds would revert to the State Board. The measure also includes a durability check: if the donation line collects less than $30,000 over three consecutive calendar years, it would be removed from returns.

Supporters cited ongoing local needs and the convenience for donors. Committee members suggested possible enhancements such as matching or identifying potential funding sources; the sponsor said the bill is designed to create data and a mechanism for donations, not to create a large standing entitlement, and the committee voted unanimously to forward the substitute with a favorable recommendation.