SF 2039: Relating to the federal summer electronic benefits transfer for children program, making an appropriation, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions

What it does

This bill relates to the summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) for children 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 summer EBT for children 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 summer EBT for children program would provide an estimated $29 million to address the food insecurity crisis which not only feeds children but stimulates local economic activity.

Senate subcommittee · named January 16, 2024

• Sen. Jeff Edler (R)
• Sen. Mark Costello (R) · mark.costello@legis.iowa.gov
• Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) · sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 22 for, 0 against

For: AFSCME Iowa Council 61; American Heart Association; Common Good Iowa; Des Moines Area Religious Council; Easterseals Iowa; Iowa ACEs 360; Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Iowa Alliance of YMCA's; Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Farmers Union; and 10 more

In plain words

1. January 11, 2024Filed in the Senate and sent to the Health and Human Services committee
2. January 16, 2024Senate subcommittee named: Edler, Costello and Trone Garriott