Bill > HR5731

This bill seeks to modernize school lunch facilities and improve school food service by establishing two primary grant and loan guarantee programs. First, it creates a loan guarantee program where the Secretary of Agriculture can provide guarantees up to 80% of the principal amount for eligible entities (including local educational agencies, tribal organizations, and consortiums) to finance infrastructure improvements and purchase durable food equipment over $500 in value, with $300 million reserved for these guarantees and a preference given to entities with substantial infrastructure or equipment needs. Second, the bill establishes an equipment grant program beginning in fiscal year 2026, authorizing $35 million annually to provide competitive grants to state agencies for local educational agencies and schools to purchase equipment needed to serve healthy meals and improve food safety. Additionally, the bill creates a training and technical assistance grant program, allocating $10 million annually to support third-party institutions in developing training for school food service personnel, with grants covering up to 80% of training costs and requiring matching support from recipients. The bill also mandates a report to Congress on the implementation of these programs and requires a study on the use of state administrative expense funds in school nutrition programs. To offset the costs, the bill rescinds $45 million from the Department of Education's unobligated administrative expenses.

Education

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5731/all-info