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 need for such a program, noting that approximately 240,000 children in Iowa would be eligible for benefits. It emphasizes the importance of providing access to nutritious food, particularly during the summer when children lose access to regular school meals, and highlights the potential economic benefits of the program, which is estimated to provide $29 million to support local economies.

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. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds from the state’s general fund to cover the costs of administering the program during the summer of 2025. The bill is designed to take effect immediately upon enactment and is retroactively applicable to July 1, 2024, ensuring that the necessary preparations can begin promptly.