HB 2213 Arizona House · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

appropriation; free school meals

HB 2213 allocates $3.8 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to provide free school lunches to children meeting federal income eligibility requirements under the National School Lunch Program. The funding is directed to the Arizona Department of Education to cover existing federal program standards, directly benefiting low-income students in public schools. The bill specifies this appropriation should be treated as ongoing funding for future years, building on current federal guidelines. It does not change eligibility rules but provides state financial support for meals already covered under federal law.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Feb 25, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → House Engrossed Version · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly restructured from a simple appropriations measure into a comprehensive statute that adds a new section prohibiting public schools from serving ultraprocessed foods containing specific additives. While the original funding provision for free school lunches remains intact, the bill now includes new requirements for schools to certify compliance and a detailed definition of prohibited food ingredients.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely funding free school lunches to also regulating school food offerings by adding a prohibition on ultraprocessed foods.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring public schools to prohibit serving, selling, or allowing third parties to sell ultraprocessed foods during the normal school day.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirements for the Department of Education to post a standardized compliance certification form and maintain a list of schools that have certified compliance.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition of ultraprocessed food containing 11 prohibited ingredients including potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, brominated vegetable oil, and various artificial dyes.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill format from a simple appropriations document to a formal statute amending Arizona Revised Statutes by adding section 15-242.01.

Removed introductory text and formatting elements from the introduced version, including the reference title and sponsor list.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

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Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

lower

1 primary · 14 co-sponsors