Division leaders told the joint subcommittee the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program will cost the state about $48 million for the fiscal period discussed, with the division estimating state general‑fund administrative costs of roughly $2.8 million. Staff said the federal government funds the benefit amounts while the state pays some administrative costs.

Kelly Cantrell, deputy administrator, described existing automatic enrollment rules: children receiving SNAP or certain combinations of benefits (such as SNAP and Medicaid) are automatically enrolled, but the division is seeking expanded outreach to reach eligible children who do not automatically qualify. Cantrell said staff “have met with every school principal…we have done media blast, which we will do again, and we're going to utilize our outreach staff…we anticipate about 350,000 kids, and we're really hoping to get to that with as much outreach as we possibly can.”

A majority leader and other members asked whether the 350,000 estimate would fully cover need for children on free or reduced‑price lunch (FRL) and what one‑time vs ongoing costs were included. Cantrell said the projected $4.3 million ongoing estimate in a backup document reflected only ongoing costs and would grow with caseload changes; she said there were no one‑time costs included in the ongoing estimate.

The division committed to continue school‑based outreach, media, and coordination with eligibility staff to enroll children not automatically captured by existing data matches. No committee action occurred at the hearing.