Senate File 2443 H-8396 Amend Senate File 2443, as passed by the Senate, as follows: 1 1. Page 12, after line 7 by inserting: 2 < DIVISION ___ 3 EBT 4 Sec. ___. FINDINGS. The general assembly finds all of the 5 following: 6 1. The Iowa general assembly, in conjunction with state 7 agencies, has a duty to ensure Iowa children have access to 8 food and essential nutrition regardless of income level. 9 2. Summer can be a time of increased hunger for children who 10 no longer have access to regular school lunches. 11 3. Iowa is currently experiencing a food insecurity crisis 12 as food banks and other charitable organizations continue to 13 report record high demand from Iowans in need. 14 4. There are an estimated two hundred forty thousand 15 children in Iowa who would be eligible to receive benefits 16 under the summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) for 17 children program, as established as a permanent program under 18 the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, 42 U.S.C. 19 §1762. 20 5. When Iowans are struggling financially, they are more 21 likely to buy less expensive foods, which are high in calories 22 and low in nutritional value. 23 6. Summer congregate and noncongregate meals are not always 24 easily accessible to families in need, particularly in rural 25 Iowa. 26 7. The summer EBT for children program offered by the 27 federal government would provide an estimated twenty-nine 28 million dollars to address the food insecurity crisis, which 29 not only feeds children but stimulates local economic activity. 30 8. Iowa ended fiscal year 2022-2023 with a general fund 31 balance of one billion eight hundred thirty-one million 32 dollars. Iowa can afford to feed hungry children and cover the 33 costs of administering the summer EBT for children program. 34 Sec. ___. PARTICIPATION IN SUMMER ELECTRONIC BENEFITS 35 -1- SF 2443.4518 (1) 90 ns/jh 1/ 2 #1.

TRANSFER (EBT) FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM —— APPROPRIATION. 1 1. The department of health and human services, in 2 coordination with the department of education, shall do all of 3 the following: 4 a. Immediately upon the effective date of this Act, submit a 5 letter of intent to the United States secretary of agriculture 6 to apply for and participate in the summer EBT for children 7 program offered by the United States department of agriculture 8 food and nutrition service during summer 2024. 9 b. Coordinate with the United States department of 10 agriculture food and nutrition service to develop a successful 11 management and administration plan for the summer EBT for 12 children program, and submit the plan to the United States 13 secretary of agriculture by February 15, 2024. 14 2. There is appropriated from the general fund of the state 15 to the department of health and human services for the fiscal 16 year beginning July 1, 2023, a sufficient amount to cover the 17 costs of administering the summer EBT for children program 18 during summer 2024. Moneys appropriated under this section 19 that remain unexpended or unencumbered at the close of the 20 fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available for 21 expenditure in the succeeding fiscal year. 22 Sec. ___. EFFECTIVE DATE. This division of this Act, being 23 deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment. 24 Sec. ___. RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY. This division of this 25 Act applies retroactively to July 1, 2023. > 26 2. By renumbering as necessary. 27 ______________________________ ISENHART of Dubuque -2- SF 2443.4518 (1) 90 ns/jh 2/ 2 #2.