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Bill > SF326
IA SF326
IA SF326A bill for an act relating to the federal summer electronic benefits transfer for children program (SUN bucks), making an appropriation, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.
summary
Introduced
02/17/2025
02/17/2025
In Committee
02/17/2025
02/17/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to the summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) for children program, also known as the SUN bucks program, made permanent by federal law under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, administered by the United States department of agriculture (USDA) food and nutrition service. The bill includes findings relating to food insecurity in the state including that it is estimated that approximately 240,000 children would be eligible to receive benefits under the SUN bucks program; that when Iowans are struggling financially, they are more likely to buy less expensive foods, high in calories and low in nutritional value; and that the SUN bucks program would provide an estimated $29 million to address the food insecurity crisis which not only feeds children but stimulates local economic activity. Upon the effective date of the bill, the department of health and human services (HHS), in coordination with the department of education, shall immediately submit a letter of intent to apply for and participate in the SUN bucks program during summer 2025, to coordinate with the USDA to develop a successful management and administration plan for the SUN bucks program, and to submit the plan to the USDA by April 1, 2025. The bill appropriates from the general fund of the state to HHS for fiscal year 2024-2025 a sufficient amount to cover the costs of administering the SUN bucks program during summer 2025. The bill takes effect upon enactment and is retroactively applicable to July 1, 2024.
AI Summary
This bill addresses food insecurity for children in Iowa by establishing participation in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children program, known as "SUN bucks." The bill notes that approximately 240,000 Iowa children would be eligible for the program, which provides EBT benefit cards to families to purchase food during summer months when children no longer have access to school lunch programs. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with the Department of Education, is required to immediately submit a letter of intent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to participate in the program for summer 2025 and develop an administration plan by April 1, 2025. The bill highlights that the program would provide an estimated $29 million to address food insecurity and potentially stimulate local economic activity. The state will appropriate sufficient funds from its general fund (which ended fiscal year 2023-2024 with a balance of over $2 billion) to cover the program's administrative costs. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and is retroactively applicable to July 1, 2024, with the goal of ensuring that low-income children have access to nutritious food during the summer months when they might otherwise experience increased hunger.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Subcommittee: Costello, Donahue, and Kraayenbrink. S.J. 303. (on 02/18/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF326 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF326.html |
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