This bill establishes the framework for Iowa's participation in the federal summer electronic benefits transfer for children program, known as the SUN bucks program, which aims to address food insecurity among children during the summer months. The bill outlines the findings of the Iowa General Assembly regarding the importance of ensuring access to food for children, particularly during the summer when they lose access to school lunches. It highlights the estimated 240,000 children in Iowa who would be eligible for benefits under this program and emphasizes the potential economic benefits of the program, which could provide approximately $29 million to support local economies while feeding children in need.

To implement the SUN bucks program, the bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Department of Education, submit a letter of intent to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to apply for the program and develop a management plan by April 1, 2025. Additionally, it appropriates funds from the state’s general fund to cover the costs of administering the program during the summer of 2025, ensuring that any unspent funds remain available for future use. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and is retroactively applicable to July 1, 2024.