SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5439

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 5, 2026

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5439.

      As reported, this bill amends the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations act to require 2.5 percent of the appropriation for the Working Class Families State Supplement to be utilized for informational and outreach activities to increase awareness of the program.

      The Working Class Families State Supplement supports expanded eligibility for the free school breakfast and lunch program for working class and middle-income families with household income between 186 percent and 224 percent of the federal poverty level.  The Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations act appropriated $15 million to the Department of Agriculture for this purpose.  Accordingly, this bill requires the department to use $375,000 for informational and outreach purposes.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 5439 is identical to Senate Bill No. 4664, which was also reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill has not been certified as requiring a fiscal note.