Representative Will Romano pushed House Bill 551 to remove the small co‑payments families now pay for reduced‑price school breakfast and lunch, saying the change would ease food insecurity and stigma for students.

Romano, the bill sponsor, said the measure would allocate $600,000 annually from the state general fund and authorized the superintendent of public instruction to seek donations or further appropriations if needed. "For about a hundred dollars per student, we can ease the burden of hard working families who struggle to cover essentials," Romano said.

The proposal drew extended floor debate. Representative Strand, speaking from classroom experience, described administrative and social burdens on schools that collect unpaid meal balances: "So the school ends up putting in precious resources into calling families, pay the bills ... there's a lot of stigma," Strand said. Representative Gillette asked for counts; Romano replied that about 5,676 students qualified for reduced‑price meals in the 2024–25 school year and that students typically paid 40¢ for lunch and 30¢ for breakfast.

Opponents argued on fiscal and philosophical grounds. Representative Seekings Crowe urged a no vote, calling the measure a taxpayer burden and saying personal responsibility played a role in his experience. Several other members said they supported the bill primarily on child‑welfare and classroom‑learning grounds.

On the committee motion that House Bill 551 "recommend the same do pass," the clerk recorded 69 votes in favor and 31 opposed; the bill passed second reading in committee. On the House floor later in the day, Majority Leader Fitzpatrick moved to re‑refer House Bill 551 to the Appropriations Committee; the motion was adopted "without objection."

Why it matters: Sponsors say the bill removes a minor cost that can create a barrier for families and stigma for children; opponents warned of new state costs and argued some burdens should remain local. The bill will now go to Appropriations for funding review and markup.

Votes at committee: Committee recommendation to pass (sponsor: Representative Will Romano); committee recorded vote 69 yea, 31 nay. Floor action: re‑referred to Appropriations (motion adopted without objection).

Additional details: Romano provided the sponsor's arithmetic on per‑student costs: assuming 5,676 reduced‑price students, 160 lunch days at 40¢ equals roughly $370,000; 120 breakfast days at 30¢ equals about $205,000, which the sponsor said totals just under the $600,000 appropriation.

Outlook: The bill now proceeds to the Appropriations Committee for consideration of the requested $600,000 annual appropriation.