Sponsors (13)
The bill boosts and stabilizes Summer EBT benefits and delivery for low-income children by raising federal reimbursements for administrative costs, but it increases federal spending and may widen state-by-state disparities and weaken incentives for states to control administrative costs.
Low-income children and families receive more reliable and expanded summer nutrition support because the federal government increases reimbursement for states' Summer EBT administrative costs, making benefits delivery more sustainable and reducing the risk of summer food gaps.
State governments that operate Summer EBT face lower net program costs, increasing the likelihood they will maintain or expand summer benefits rather than cutting the program.
Low-income households and state agencies may get timelier and higher-quality benefit delivery (e.g., faster payments, better outreach) because higher federal reimbursement can cover more administrative expenses and improve infrastructure for benefit delivery.
All taxpayers and the federal budget are affected because increasing federal reimbursement raises federal spending, creating budgetary pressure that may require offsets (cuts elsewhere or revenue increases).
Low-income children and families in states that do not operate Summer EBT receive no direct benefit, potentially widening geographic disparities in access to summer nutrition support.
State governments and taxpayers could see higher administrative spending per participant if increased federal reimbursement reduces states' fiscal incentives to control program administrative costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Raises the federal administrative reimbursement for States running Summer EBT to 90% of monthly administrative costs, covering both Summer EBT and related SNAP administrative expenses.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to pay each State that operates the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program an administrative reimbursement equal to 90% of monthly administrative costs each fiscal year the State operates Summer EBT; the 90% payment covers administrative costs for both Summer EBT (42 U.S.C. §1762) and the SNAP administrative costs referenced in 7 U.S.C. §2025(a). One short section provides the Act's short title and does not create substantive rights or deadlines. The change raises the federal share above current statutory administrative reimbursement levels (which authorize 50% through FY2026 and 25% beginning FY2027). The bill directs higher federal payments to state agencies administering Summer EBT, which is likely to reduce state administrative burdens and encourage more states to operate the program, while increasing federal outlays for program administration.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by David Scott · Last progress December 17, 2025