D217978F64F2D65A872583A80070DA9F Hearing Summary

Representative Michaelson Jenet, sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1171, concerning the expansion of the grades eligible for the School Lunch Protection Program (program).  The program provides free lunches to students in preschool through eighth grade who would otherwise pay for a reduced-cost lunch.  The bill expands the program to include lunches served to students in grades nine through twelve and removes the specified range for the program's annual appropriation.

The following provided testimony on the bill:

Danielle Bock, Greeley-Evans Weld County School District and Colorado School Nutrition Association (CSNA), testified in support of the bill.

Jesica Gould, Littleton School District and CSNA, testified in support of the bill.

Erika Edwards, CSNA and Jefferson County School District, testified in support of the bill.

The above panel answered committee questions regarding funding of school lunch programs in each of their districts, the percentage of school districts that subsidize free and reduced lunch programs, and how the program works.

Stephanie Perez-Carrillo, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

Amy Winterfeld, Colorado Public Health Association, testified in support of the bill.

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The above panel responded to questions from the committee.

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, answered committee questions regarding the annual cost of the program.

Lucia Lapaz, Colorado School of Public Health, testified in support of the bill.

Christina Suh, Associate Medical Director of Our Child Health Clinic at Children's Hospital, testified in support of the bill.

Taylor Washington, Hunger Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Evie Hudak, Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in support of the bill.

Benjamin Waters, Opportunity Coalition and Mile High United Way, testified in support of the bill.

The panel answered committee questions regarding the bill.

Representative Michaelson Jenet made concluding comments on the bill, and committee discussion ensued.