1. (1) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1) is effective unless the ballot issue described in section 22-82.9-213 is approved by the people at the next statewide election] Subject to subsection (2) of this section, in addition to the amounts received pursuant to sections 22-82.9-204 and 22-82.9-205, a participating school food authority may receive the greater of three thousand dollars or an amount equal to twelve cents multiplied by the number of school lunches that qualify as eligible meals that the participating school food authority provided in the previous budget year, so long as the participating school food authority uses one hundred percent of the amount received pursuant to this section to increase wages or provide stipends for individuals whom the participating school food authority employs to directly prepare and serve food for school meals. To receive the amount described in this section, a participating school food authority must submit documentation to the department as required by rules of the state board to demonstrate that the increase in wages or provision of stipends using the amount received pursuant to this section is implemented for the budget year in which the amount is received.
2. (1) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (1) is effective if the ballot issue described in section 22-82.9-213 is approved by the people at the next statewide election] Subject to subsection (2) of this section, in addition to the amounts received pursuant to sections 22-82.9-204 and 22-82.9-205, a participating school food authority may receive an amount described in section 22-82.9-211 (3), so long as the participating school food authority uses one hundred percent of the amount received pursuant to this section to increase wages or provide stipends for individuals whom the participating school food authority employs to directly prepare and serve food for school meals. To receive the amount described in this section, a participating school food authority must submit documentation to the department as required by rules of the state board to demonstrate that the increase in wages or provision of stipends using the amount received pursuant to this section is implemented for the budget year in which the amount is received.
3. (2) Subject to available appropriations, this section is effective beginning in the 2025-26 budget year.

Source: Referred 2022: Entire part added, Proposition FF, L. 2022, (HB 22-1414), ch. 509, p. 4284, § 1, effective upon proclamation of the Governor, December 27, 2022. L. 2024: (2) amended, (HB 24-1390), ch. 133, p. 481, § 5, effective April 29. L. 2025: (1) amended, (HB 25-1274), ch. 402, p. 2285, § 7, effective (see editor's note).

Editor's note: Section 20(6) of chapter 402 (HB 25-1274), Session Laws of Colorado 2025, provides that the act changing this section takes effect on the date of the governor's proclamation, only if, at the November 2025 statewide election, a majority of voters approve the ballot issue referred in accordance with § 22-82.9-213.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 25-1274, see section 1 of chapter 402, Session Laws of Colorado 2025.