Enacting the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill of 2023 Regarding Kitchen Infrastructure and School Food Best Practices Programs

S.B. 114 / A.B. 114 is an education omnibus budget trailer bill. This bill revises the allowable uses of previously appropriated funds for kitchen infrastructure upgrades ($600 million) and implementation of school food best practices ($100 million), including updating the definition of freshly prepared onsite meals. It authorizes expenditures on items such as cooking equipment, service equipment, transportation, training, and additional staff compensation to support increased meal capacity and improve the nutritional quality of school meals. Additionally, the bill grants the State Department of Education the authority to interpret and guide the implementation of these provisions.