Bill > SB0172

This bill establishes a hunger-free campus grant program in Tennessee to help address food insecurity among college students. The program would be administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and create a special fund to provide grants to both public and private higher education institutions in the state. To be eligible, institutions must either have a physical food pantry or partner with a local food pantry, and establish a hunger task force that includes student members. Grant recipients would be required to use the funds for specific purposes such as developing student meal credit donation programs, creating meal voucher programs, providing financial assistance to food pantries, and raising awareness about food insecurity resources. Each institution receiving a grant must also submit an annual report to legislative education committees detailing their efforts to combat campus hunger, including information about food-insecure students and best practices implemented. The bill explicitly states that no funds will be obligated unless specifically appropriated by the general appropriations act, meaning actual funding would depend on future legislative action. The proposed legislation aims to provide a structured approach to helping college students access nutritious meals and reduce hunger on campuses across Tennessee.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0172&ga=114