H.R. 9265: To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require participation in th… (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill would change how the federal summer EBT program works for states that take part in the National School Lunch Program.

What the bill does

The summer EBT program provides food benefits to eligible children during the summer when school meals are not available. Under current law, states and certain Tribal organizations can choose whether to participate in summer EBT.

This bill would make participation mandatory for states in the school lunch program starting in summer 2027. In other words, if a state participates in the National School Lunch Program, it would also have to participate in summer EBT.

How the timing changes

Summer 2024, 2025, and 2026: States and covered Indian Tribal organizations would still be treated as participating based on the existing setup for those years.
Starting in summer 2027: Every state that participates in the school lunch program would be required to participate in summer EBT.
Covered Indian Tribal organizations: They would need to participate in summer EBT if they participate in the school lunch program, or they could still choose to participate separately in summer EBT if allowed under the program rules.

Administrative changes

The bill also updates the planning and notification process for states:

For the 2024–2026 period, the existing planning rules are narrowed to those years.
Beginning in 2027, states that want to participate in the summer EBT-related program, or are required to participate, would have to notify the Secretary of Agriculture by January 1 each year of their intent to administer the program.
They would also have to submit a management and administration plan by February 15 each year for approval.

Practical effect

The main effect would be to make summer EBT a required companion program for states in the school lunch program, rather than an optional one, beginning in 2027. This would likely increase the number of states participating and make summer food benefits more uniformly available across participating states.