SB 1581 Oregon Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to school meals; prescribing an effective date.

Summary

Requires school districts to offer lunch and breakfast to students at no charge, regardless of income. Provides exceptions. Requires school districts that make breakfast accessible at a school site to make breakfast accessible at the school site after the beginning of the day. [ Prescribes nutrition standards for reimbursable meals that are paid for by state sources. ] Takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → A-Engrossed · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the list of sponsors and clarify that the summary applies to the final text. Crucially, the law now requires all schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student, removing the previous option for districts to apply for this benefit only. Additionally, new rules were added to ensure free meals are prioritized for low-income students when state funding is insufficient, and the Department of Education must now provide technical assistance to schools.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from allowing school districts to optionally apply for universal free meals to mandating that all school districts provide free meals to all students.

ELIGIBILITY

Replaced the optional application process with a mandatory requirement for all schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to schools and districts.

Changed the rules for insufficient funding to prioritize free meals for low-income households (under 300% of poverty guidelines) when funds are limited.

SCOPE

Added new sponsors to the bill, including Senators Manning Jr and Patterson.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document header to reflect the 'A-Engrossed' status and included Senate amendment dates.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

In committee upon adjournment.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Referred to Ways and Means by order of the President.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Ways and Means. (Printed A-Eng.)

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to Education.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.

upper

11 primary · 17 co-sponsors