A bill for an act relating to the federal summer electronic benefits transfer for children program

SF 326 directs Iowa to apply for participation in the federal SUN Bucks program, which provides summer food benefits to children. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit an application to the USDA by the bill's effective date and develop an administration plan by April 1, 2025. It appropriates state funds from the general fund to cover administration costs for the summer 2025 program. This would directly affect approximately 240,000 Iowa children eligible for the program, which is funded federally with an estimated $29 million to address summer food insecurity. The bill takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to July 1, 2024.