A bill that would expand free and reduced lunch advanced in the South Dakota legislature on Monday.
Representative Kaydn Wittman, a Democrat from Sioux Falls, has advocated for expanding free school lunches for the past four years.
During the 2026 legislative session, the bill has seen an increase in bipartisan support.
According to the bill, the Department of Education will reimburse each school district for costs collected by the district providing meals to eligible students with funds allocated in the state's budget bill.
Committee member, Eric Muckey, said the amended version clarifies the state will be paying for the gap between full and reduced price, and it would cost approximately $630,000 per year.
The House Appropriations Committee advanced the bill on a 7 to 2 vote.
