SB 730: Pupil nutrition: National School Lunch Act: Buy American provision: compliance.

Existing federal law, the National School Lunch Act, establishes a federal subsidy program to provide free and reduced-price meals to eligible children in schools. As a condition of participation, federal law requires the State Department of Education and participating local educational agencies to comply with a provision, known as the Buy American provision, that requires school food authorities, as defined, to purchase, to the maximum extent possible, domestic commodities or products. Existing federal regulations establish procedures for administrative review and compliance with specific program requirements, including the Buy American provision. Under existing state law, the State Department of Education and local educational agencies administer the National School Lunch Act programs.

This bill would require the department to take certain actions to monitor and support school food authorities compliance with the Buy American provision. The bill would state that its provisions are operative only to the extent mandated under federal law.