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HB 1031

Universal Free Breakfast and Lunch.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Eric Ager and 38 co-sponsors

NC HB 1031 would provide two no-cost meals per day in public schools (breakfast and lunch) funded by a $116 million annual appropriation.

Passed 1st Reading
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1031

Summary of HB 1031 (Session 2025, North Carolina) — Universal Free Breakfast and Lunch

Date: Filed April 21, 2026

Purpose and Intent

  • To provide breakfast and lunch in public schools at no cost to students, funded by state appropriations.
  • The bill directs the state to ensure all students have access to two meals per day (breakfast and lunch) without charge, aligning with federal guidelines.

Key Provisions

1) School Nutrition Services Required at No Cost

  • Rewrites G.S. 115C-263 to require local boards of education to operate a school food authority that offers two meals per day (breakfast and lunch) at no cost to students.
  • Meals must follow federal guidelines established by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.

2) State Funding Allocation for Nutrition Services

  • Creates a funding mechanism where the State Board of Education allocates funds to school food authorities for providing no-cost nutrition services, conditioned on available funds.
  • Allocation methodology (G.S. 115C-263):
    • Must be based on an evaluation of the authority’s nutrition services, with criteria including:
    • School size (Average Daily Membership)
    • Number of students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch and estimated NSLP receipts
    • Prior-year funds expended (waivers allowed if the authority wasn’t in operation)
    • Promotion of health and wellness (quality/nutrient content)
    • Use of locally sourced food/products
    • Any other relevant cost/operational factors
    • Funds distributed on a fair and equitable basis.
    • Allocations issued at the start of each fiscal year; up to 10% of total funds may be reserved for future allocation.
  • The Board may supplement allocations with funds from other sources as needed.

3) Regulatory and Operational Alignment

  • Local boards operating school nutrition programs must participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and, if eligible, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
  • School nutrition programs remain under the Division of School Nutrition, Department of Public Instruction.
  • The act adds requirements to align other school types with the nutrition provisions:
    • Traditional schools: must provide nutrition services per G.S. 115C-263 and 115C-264.
    • Charter schools: must provide nutrition services per the same statutes.
    • Regional schools and laboratory schools have related alignment language, including provisions for NSLP administration and, in laboratory schools, a 100% muscadine grape juice requirement (note: this appears to be a unusual or illustrative provision and may reflect draft language typical of initial bills).

4) Appropriations

  • Section 2 appropriates $116 million from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support no-cost nutrition services.
  • If the $116 million is insufficient for the 2026-2027 year, DPI may use State Aid for Public Schools funds to cover the shortfall.

5) Effective Date and Applicability

  • Effective July 1, 2026.
  • Applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Affected Parties

  • Students: All students in public schools would receive breakfast and lunch at no cost.
  • Local school nutrition authorities: Responsible for implementing meal programs and reporting data for allocation calculations.
  • School districts and charter schools: Must align operations to provide no-cost meals and participate in NSLP/CEP as applicable.
  • Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and State Board of Education: Oversee funding allocations, rulemakings, and regulatory compliance.
  • General Fund (state taxpayers): Funding commitment via the $116 million annual appropriation (with potential for additional sources if needed).

Procedural and Timeline Highlights

  • Referred to Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House for committee consideration (April 2026).
  • 1st Reading and filing occurred in April 2026; bill language indicates a 2026-2027 start for program implementation.
  • Annual funding allocations to school food authorities at the start of each fiscal year, with up to 10% reserves for future allocation.

Notes on Scope and Clarity

  • The bill codifies universal no-cost breakfast and lunch, subject to annual appropriations.
  • Provisions reference adherence to federal guidelines and allow DPI to adjust allocations based on measurable criteria, including cost, student need, and nutritional quality.
  • Some language references (e.g., muscadine grape juice requirements for laboratory schools) may reflect draft text or illustrative placeholders common in initial bill drafts and could be updated in later sessions.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current NC law (pre-HB 1031) or a brief fiscal impact projection based on the stated $116 million appropriation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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