SF 326 (LSB 1894XS (3) 91)

SENATE FILE 326

BY  TRONE GARRIOTT

A 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.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  FINDINGS.  The general assembly finds all of the following:
   1.  The Iowa general assembly, in conjunction with state agencies, has a duty to ensure Iowa children have access to food and essential nutrition regardless of income level.
   2.  Summer can be a time of increased hunger for children who no longer have access to regular school lunches.
   3.  Iowa is currently experiencing a food insecurity crisis as food banks and other charitable organizations continue to report record high demand from Iowans in need.
   4.  There are an estimated two hundred forty thousand children in Iowa who would be eligible to receive benefits under the summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) for children program (SUN bucks program), as established as a permanent program under the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, 42 U.S.C. §1762.
   5.  When Iowans are struggling financially, they are more likely to buy less expensive foods, which are high in calories and low in nutritional value.
   6.  Summer congregate and noncongregate meals are not always easily accessible to families in need, particularly in rural Iowa.
   7.  The SUN bucks program offered by the federal government would provide an estimated twenty-nine million dollars to address the food insecurity crisis, which not only feeds children but stimulates local economic activity.
   8.  Iowa ended fiscal year 2023-2024 with a general fund balance of two billion fifty-three million dollars. Iowa can afford to feed hungry children and cover the costs of administering the SUN bucks program. 
    Sec. 2.  PARTICIPATION IN SUN BUCKS PROGRAM —— APPROPRIATION.
   1.  The department of health and human services, in coordination with the department of education, shall do all of the following:
   a.  Immediately upon the effective date of this Act, submit a letter of intent to the United States secretary of agriculture to apply for and participate in the SUN bucks program offered by the United States department of agriculture food and nutrition service to provide eligible families with EBT benefit cards to purchase food from participating stores during summer 2025.
   b.  Coordinate with the United States department of agriculture food and nutrition service to develop a successful management and administration plan for the SUN bucks program, and submit the plan to the United States secretary of agriculture by April 1, 2025.
   2.  There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of health and human services for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, a sufficient amount to cover the costs of administering the SUN bucks program during summer 2025. Moneys appropriated under this section that remain unexpended or unencumbered at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available for expenditure in the succeeding fiscal year.
    Sec. 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
    Sec. 4.  RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY.  This Act applies retroactively to July 1, 2024.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   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.