As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. B. No. 562

2025-2026

To make an appropriation to promote food options for students with religious dietary restrictions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. All items in this act are hereby appropriated as designated out of any moneys in the state treasury to the credit of the designated fund. For all operating appropriations made in this act, those in the first column are for fiscal year 2026 and those in the second column are for fiscal year 2027. The operating appropriations made in this act are in addition to any other operating appropriations made for these fiscal years.

Section 2.

	1	2	3	4	5
A	AGR DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
B	General Revenue Fund
C	GRF	700514	Special Projects	$0	$300,000
D	TOTAL General Revenue Fund			$0	$300,000
E	TOTAL ALL BUDGET FUND GROUPS			$0	$300,000

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The foregoing appropriation item 700514, Special Projects, shall be used by the Director of Agriculture to award competitive grants to middle schools, high schools, and institutions of higher education to establish, expand, or improve the provision of special religious diets, including kosher and halal food. The Director of Agriculture, in consultation with the Director of Education and Workforce and Chancellor of Higher Education, shall establish procedures and criteria for awarding the grants.

Section 3. Within the limits set forth in this act, the Director of Budget and Management shall establish accounts indicating the source and amount of funds for each appropriation made in this act, and shall determine the manner in which appropriation accounts shall be maintained. Expenditures from operating appropriations contained in this act shall be accounted for as though made in, and are subject to all applicable provisions of,H.B. 96 of the 136th General Assembly.