HF 152: 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.

Lobbying · 12 for, 0 against

For: American Heart Association; Common Good Iowa; Des Moines Area Religious Council; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Iowa Catholic Conference; Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; Iowa Hunger Coalition; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa State Education Association; League of Women Voters of Iowa; Save the Children Action Network

In plain words

1. January 30, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Health and Human Services committee