Sponsors (12)
The bill guarantees nationwide Summer EBT benefits for eligible children beginning in 2027—significantly reducing summer food insecurity—while imposing administrative costs and reducing local flexibility, risks that are magnified if federal funding and reimbursement rates are insufficient.
Low-income children who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches will receive guaranteed Summer EBT benefits each summer beginning in 2027, reducing summer food insecurity.
Families of eligible students nationwide will gain predictable annual access to summer food benefits instead of relying on temporary state pilot programs, improving household food stability during summer months.
Children in Tribal communities served by school lunch programs will be eligible for Summer EBT, extending nutrition support into tribal areas that have faced gaps in summer meal access.
If federal funding or reimbursement rates are insufficient, mandatory program participation could strain state budgets, delay implementation, or force reductions in program quality or coverage for children.
State governments will incur new administrative costs to run Summer EBT starting in 2027 (staffing, notices, plans, systems), which could strain already-tight state budgets.
Some states and covered Tribal organizations lose the discretion to opt out of Summer EBT after 2026, reducing local flexibility to choose different programs or approaches.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
Converts Summer EBT from an opt-in pilot to a mandatory program for all School Lunch Program States beginning summer 2027 and adds annual notice and plan deadlines.
Official title: To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require participation in the summer EBT program as a condition of participating in the school lunch program, and for other purposes.
Introduced June 11, 2026 by André Carson · Last progress June 11, 2026
Requires every State that participates in the National School Lunch Program to operate the Summer EBT benefit starting in summer 2027, converting the current opt-in pilot-style model (summers 2024–2026) into a nationwide requirement. Adds annual deadlines for States and covered Indian Tribal organizations to notify USDA by January 1 and submit approved operating plans by February 15 for the coming summer program year.