Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2019
This bill reduces administrative requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), authorizes funding to increase access to SNAP offices, and authorizes grants for community-based nonprofits to expand anti-hunger activities.
The bill repeals existing provisions regarding administrative costs and authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay 75% of the administrative costs for state agencies to carry out new activities to increase the operating hours of SNAP offices, reduce wait times, accept online applications, upgrade technology, and provide a checklist of required documents.
If a state agency believes that information provided by a SNAP applicant is incorrect or incomplete, the agency must notify the applicant in writing and include instructions for providing the required information. A state may not require an appplicant to appear in person unless the information is not provided in response to the request or cannot be verified. State agencies may not require fingerprints for any member of a household to participate in SNAP or receive benefits.
USDA must report annually to Congress on the comparative progress of states in improving access to SNAP.
The bill also establishes a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program to provide grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for programs and technical assistance to reduce hunger, increase the use of nutrition assistance and anti-poverty programs, bolster food security, assist individuals and families to develop assets, promote economic independence, improve nutrition, and reduce obesity.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1470 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1470
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide greater access
to the supplemental nutrition assistance program by reducing
duplicative and burdensome administrative requirements, authorize the
Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to certain community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for the purpose of
establishing and implementing a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program
for certain socially and economically disadvantaged populations, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 28, 2019
Mr. Serrano (for himself, Mr. Hastings, Ms. Velazquez, Ms. Lee of
California, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Omar,
Mr. McGovern, Mr. Rush, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Blumenauer, and Mr. Espaillat)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide greater access
to the supplemental nutrition assistance program by reducing
duplicative and burdensome administrative requirements, authorize the
Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to certain community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for the purpose of
establishing and implementing a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program
for certain socially and economically disadvantaged populations, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act of
2019''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2014 the number of Americans facing hunger or food
insecurity was 48,100,000, and 15,300,000 children lived in
these households. 5,400,000 seniors ages 60 and up were also
experiencing food hardship.
(2) In August 2015 approximately 45,500,000 people
participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program
(SNAP). In fiscal year 2014 on a monthly average, 47,600,000
people participated in this program, about 15 percent of the
United States population. SNAP, the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children
(WIC), and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are the
largest nutrition assistance programs, and 61 percent of food-
insecure households participated in 1 or more of the 3
programs.
(3) Administrative burdens involved in securing
supplemental nutrition assistance benefits are particularly
burdensome for working families.
(4) Each year tens of millions people in the United States,
including children and seniors, are forced to rely on soup
kitchens, food pantries, and other charitable feeding programs.
(5) The charitable food distribution system in the United
States would benefit from increased coordination and technical
assistance.
(6) Helping those who use feeding programs to move ``beyond
the soup kitchen'', by promoting the values of community,
opportunity, and responsibility, is a national priority.
TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO THE FOOD AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2008
SEC. 101. AMENDMENTS TO THE FOOD AND NUTRITION ACT OF 2008.
(a) Administrative Cost Sharing and Quality Control.--Section 16(k)
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(k)) is amended by
striking subsection (k) and inserting the following:
``(k) Administrative Cost for Increasing Access.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of this section, the Secretary is authorized to pay
to each State agency an amount equal to 75 percent of the
administrative costs incurred by the State agency in carrying out new
activities not previously funded by the State--
``(1) to increase the number of hours that supplemental
nutrition assistance offices are open on weekends and nights if
there is neither a decrease in the total number of supplemental
nutrition assistance offices that are open in the State nor a
decrease in the number of hours such offices are open during
the regular work week;
``(2) to conduct verifiable activities to reduce the
average wait time that applicants spend at supplemental
nutrition assistance offices or to reduce the average number of
office visits required of applicants;
``(3) to accept applications for supplemental nutrition
assistance benefit by means of the internet;
``(4) to upgrade computer systems and technology in ways
that specifically increase access to the supplemental nutrition
assistance program; and
``(5) at the time of application, to provide applicants
with a checklist listing all documents required for a complete
supplemental nutrition assistance application.''.
(b) Reduction of Burdensome and Duplicative Office Visits;
Prohibition of Fingerprinting.--Section 11(e)(2) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A) by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and'';
(2) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``In'' and inserting
``that in'';
(3) in subparagraph (D) by inserting the following before
the semicolon at the end: ``, and the fingerprint of any member
of a household shall not be required for the purpose of
participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program
or for issuance of benefits for which the household would
otherwise be eligible'';
(4) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and
(5) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) that the State agency shall inform households, at the
time of application, that--
``(i) household members are not required to appear
in person at the time of application, or at any other
time, unless--
``(I) expressly required by this Act; or
``(II) in accordance with clause (ii); and
``(ii) if the State agency has a basis to
reasonably believe that information provided by a
household is incorrect or that a household has failed
to provide information required for participation in
the supplemental nutrition assistance program, then the
State agency shall--
``(I) provide to the household a written
statement notifying the household of such
belief; specifying the factual basis of such
belief, informing the household of the
applicable information that is believed to be
incorrect or missing, and instructing the
household how to correct or to provide the
appropriate information; and
``(II) not require any member of such
household to appear in person unless either the
household fails to provide the appropriate
information or the State agency cannot verify
the accuracy of information the household
provides in response to the request made under
this subparagraph by the State agency;''.
SEC. 102. COMPARATIVE PROGRESS REPORT.
Section 18 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) The Secretary shall submit a single, unified, annual report
to the appropriate committees of the Congress on the comparative
progress of States in improving access to the supplemental nutrition
assistance program. The following statistics shall be included in the
report with respect to each particular State:
``(1) The percentage of supplemental nutrition assistance
program applications processed within the 30-day period
required by this Act.
``(2) The average number of days required to process
expedited applications for supplemental nutrition assistance
benefits.
``(3) The average number of days required to process
regular applications for supplemental nutrition assistance
benefits.
``(4) The average number of office visits that each
applicant makes to receive supplemental nutrition assistance
benefits.
``(5) Statewide negative errors rates.
``(6) The overall participation rate of households that are
eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition
assistance program.
``(7) The information specified in paragraphs (1) through
(6) for a particular geographical area in such State.''.
TITLE II--ANTI-HUNGER GRANTS PROGRAM
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Beyond the Soup Kitchen Grants
Program Act of 2019''.
SEC. 202. BEYOND THE SOUP KITCHEN PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--The Secretary shall establish
a pilot program, to be known as the ``Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot
Program'', in accordance with this title.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the pilot program are--
(1) to provide grant assistance to a primary community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group in each pilot
community for purposes of allocating subgrants to other
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups in
such community; and
(2) to provide technical assistance grants.
SEC. 203. SELECTION OF PRIMARY COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT FEEDING AND
ANTI-HUNGER GROUPS AND SUBGRANTEES.
(a) Grants to Primary Community-Based Nonprofit Feeding and Anti-
Hunger Groups.--Under the pilot program and for a fiscal year, the
Secretary shall award not more than 30 grants to primary community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups, in accordance with this
section.
(b) Application.--To be eligible for an award of a grant for a
fiscal year under this section, a community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group shall submit to the Secretary an application that
contains a description of how the applicant proposes to use the grant
funds to implement the components of the pilot program listed in
subsection (c) in the pilot community of the community-based nonprofit
feeding and anti-hunger group. The application shall be submitted in
such form, at such time, and containing such other information as the
Secretary may require.
(c) Pilot Program Components.--An application for a grant under
this section shall contain the following components:
(1) Programs component.--A program component that
describes, with respect to a target population of a pilot
community and in accordance with section 204, programs designed
for the following purposes:
(A) To reduce hunger in such target population.
(B) To increase the use of nutrition assistance and
anti-poverty programs by such target population.
(C) To bolster food security within such target
population.
(D) To assist individuals and families within such
target population to develop assets.
(E) To promote the economic independence of
individuals and families within such target population.
(F) To improve the nutrition of such target
population.
(G) To reduce the occurrence of obesity in such
target population.
(2) Community food council.--A community food council
component that describes the formation and operation of a
community food council designed to engage emergency feeding
groups, Federal, State, and local government agencies, the
cooperative extension system, land-grant colleges and
universities, and historically African American, Hispanic, and
American Indian educational institutes for the purposes
described under paragraph (1).
(3) Subgrants component.--A subgrants component that
describes a plan for the allocation of grants funds to
subgrantees by the primary community-based nonprofit feeding
and anti-hunger group, in accordance with subsection (e).
(d) Criteria.--In evaluating an application of a community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group, the Secretary shall consider,
in addition to such other criteria as the Secretary determines
appropriate, the extent to which the application of the group
demonstrates the following:
(1) The capacity to serve as a leader for other community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups in the pilot
community and to successfully provide technical assistance and
other assistance to the greatest number of such groups.
(2) Successful experience--
(A) in conducting a program described in section
204(b);
(B) in working with a national service, community
service, or volunteer service group that conducts a
program described in section 204(b);
(C) in managing and using Federal grant funds,
including grants for community food and nutrition
programs authorized under section 681(a) of the
Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9922(a));
(D) in working cooperatively with a nutrition
assistance and anti-poverty program, other community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups, and
faith-based and other community programs in the pilot
community; and
(E) in researching, monitoring, and evaluating the
hunger problems in the pilot community of such
organization and nutrition assistance and anti-poverty
programs.
(3) In the case of a community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group with a large budget, the existence of a
financial mechanism to implement the proposal and staff
expertise to handle large Federal and private grants, or in the
case of a community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger
group with a small budget, proven effectiveness in the delivery
and coordination of a program described in section 204(b).
(4) The ability to influence other community, government,
and private resources to assist in the creation and
implementation of the pilot program in the pilot community of
the community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group.
(e) Subgrants.--
(1) Selection by primary community-based nonprofit feeding
and anti-hunger group required.--Under the pilot program, the
Secretary shall require a primary community-based nonprofit
feeding and anti-hunger group that is awarded a grant under
subsection (a) to select at least 10, but no more than 200,
subgrantees to carry out subgrants under the grants. Such
subgrants shall be used in support of the pilot program in the
pilot community of such group, in accordance with section 204.
(2) Selection of subgrantees.--A primary community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group shall select
subgrantees for purposes of paragraph (1)--
(A) by selecting the subgrantee in the application
submitted under subsection (b); or
(B) in consultation with the Secretary of
Agriculture after evaluating proposals submitted by
subgrantee applicants.
SEC. 204. USES OF GRANTS.
(a) Required Uses by Primary Community-Based Nonprofit Feeding and
Anti-Hunger Groups.--A primary community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group that is awarded a grant under section 203(a) shall--
(1) allocate at least 60 percent of the grant for subgrants
in accordance with section 203(e); and
(2) spend at least 5 percent of the grant on evaluation of
the pilot program in the pilot community of such group.
(b) Eligible Uses by Primary Community-Based Nonprofit Feeding and
Anti-Hunger Groups and Subgrantees.--Grant funds awarded to a primary
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group or allocated to
a subgrantee under the pilot program may be used for any of the
following purposes:
(1) Eligible programs.--With respect to a target population
in a pilot community, any of the following programs:
(A) A program that informs such population about
benefits under nutrition assistance and anti-poverty
programs, pre-screens members of such population to
determine the eligibility of such members to receive
such benefits, and assists such members to access
relevant benefits.
(B) A program to assist such population to
transition successfully from welfare to work.
(C) A program that is likely to result in job
creation or that involves job training, readiness,
placement, or retention activities.
(D) A program to increase the supply of donated
foods to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger groups, especially of fresh fruits, vegetables,
and other nutritious foods.
(E) A program that increases the access of such
population to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other
nutritious foods.
(F) A program that promotes the use of farmers'
markets, urban farms, and food-producing agriculture
projects, especially a program that promotes the use of
such markets, farms, and projects by nutrition
assistance and anti-poverty programs.
(G) A program to assess the flow of food, from
production through consumption, in a community.
(H) A program that involves nutrition education,
obesity reduction, or financial management activities,
especially such activities that have hands-on
demonstrations or that promote physical activity.
(I) A program that promotes microenterprise and
small business development, especially the development
of such a business that is food-related.
(J) A program that assists government agencies and
nonprofit groups to increase the number of sites (and
participation in existing sites) for after-school
snacks and meals programs under the summer food service
program for children authorized under section 13 of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1766) and the child and adult care food program
authorized under section 17 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1761).
(K) A program that creates a customer advisory
council at a community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group to enable an individual who obtains
food from such group to consult with the council on
ways to improve the operations of such group.
(L) A program to increase the assistance of
national and community service programs, including
AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America
(AmeriCorps-VISTA), Learn and Serve America, Senior
Corps, Freedom Corps, and any other volunteer program
to aid community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger groups.
(M) A program to increase the involvement of
volunteers who have professional skills with community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups and
other nonprofit groups.
(N) A program that relates nutrition improvement
and the problem of hunger within such population to
broader issues within the pilot community, including
community development and economic improvement.
(O) A program that promotes the use of individual
development accounts, as defined in section 404(5) of
the Assets for Independence Act (title IV of Public Law
105-285; 42 U.S.C. 604 note), or any other such asset-
development program.
(P) With respect to a community-based nonprofit
feeding and anti-hunger group, a program to--
(i) provide technical assistance to such
group to increase the technical capacities of
such group; or
(ii) enable the group to more efficiently
and effectively use computer technology,
recruit volunteers, write grants, or otherwise
increase the fundraising and operation of such
group.
(Q) A program that provides for the provision of
technical assistance and informational materials on the
internet that relate to any program described in
subparagraphs (A) through (P).
(R) A program to coordinate activities of
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger
groups within the pilot community, including activities
that further any of the following goals:
(i) Creation of joint advertising,
communications, and referral systems.
(ii) Coordination of hours of operations
and services provided.
(iii) Creation of joint client, funding,
and other databases, tracking systems, and
benefits referral systems.
(iv) Implementation of joint activities to
reduce hunger, strengthen local food systems,
reduce poverty, improve economic self-
sufficiency, and reduce obesity.
(2) Eligible food-related uses.--Subject to the limitation
in subsection (c)(1), any of the following food-related
purposes:
(A) Gathering food.
(B) The collection of perishable, but safe, food
from entities such as restaurants, caterers, and farms,
for distribution to a target population.
(C) Packing food.
(D) Sorting food.
(E) Processing food.
(F) Transportation of food.
(G) Heating, cooling, or freezing of food.
(H) Storage of food.
(I) Administrative expenses necessary to increase
the supply of nutritious food (especially fresh fruit
and vegetables) distributed by community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups.
(J) Administrative staff and volunteer management
for purposes of performing activities listed in
subparagraphs (A) through (H).
(3) Eligible stipends.--For the provision of stipends to
customers for expenses incurred by such customers for
participating in a customer advisory council described in
subsection (b)(1)(K).
(c) Limitations.--
(1) Limitation on food purchases.--No more than 20 percent
of the total amount of grant funds awarded to a primary
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group or
allocated to a subgrantee under the pilot program may be used
to directly purchase food.
(2) Limitation on funds expended to national or community
service program.--Grant funds awarded to a primary community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group or allocated to a
subgrantee under the pilot program may not be used to provide a
volunteer in a national or community service program listed in
subsection (b)(1)(L) with any educational funding, stipend,
health care, or child care.
SEC. 205. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Technical Assistance Grants.--Under the pilot program and for a
fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants to technical assistance
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups, in accordance
with this section.
(b) Application for Technical Assistance Grants.--To be eligible
for an award of a grant under this section, a technical assistance
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group shall submit to
the Secretary an application containing a description of how the
applicant proposes to use the grant funds to provide technical
assistance to all pilot communities. The application shall be submitted
in such form, at such time, and containing such other information as
the Secretary may require.
(c) Criteria To Receive Grants.--In evaluating an application of a
technical assistance community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger
group, the Secretary shall consider, in addition to such other criteria
as the Secretary determines appropriate, the extent to which the
application of the technical assistance group demonstrates the
following:
(1) The ability to provide capacity-building technical
assistance to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger
groups.
(2) Organizational and staff experience in--
(A) national issues related to emergency food
programs, food banks, food rescue organizations, the
hunger problem, food insecurity, anti-poverty programs,
and nutrition education;
(B) providing technical assistance to community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups and
conducting outreach programs on nutrition assistance
and anti-poverty programs;
(C) successfully working with national and
community service programs, including such programs
listed in section 204(b)(1)(L);
(D) working cooperatively or in a leadership role
with other national, regional, State, and local
eligible technical entities; and
(E) working with a wide variety of faith-based and
community organizations and with community-wide
religious and civic organizations.
(3) Proven financial control mechanisms and staff expertise
to work with large Federal and private grants, or in the case
of a technical assistance community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group with a small operating budget, effectiveness
in program delivery and coordination.
(d) Department of Agriculture Technical Assistance Authorized.--
(1) Assistance from department of agriculture.--The
Secretary may provide technical and evaluation assistance to--
(A) a technical assistance community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group awarded a grant
under subsection (a);
(B) a primary community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group awarded a grant under section 203(a)
or a subgrantee selected under section 203(e); or
(C) any community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger group or technical assistance community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group that does not
receive a grant under this Act, but that carries out
activities similar to those of such a group or
subgrantee.
(2) Assistance from federal departments and agencies.--The
head of any Federal department or agency may provide technical
assistance to a group or subgrantee referred to in subparagraph
(A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) to carry out activities
described in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph.
(3) Assistance from state and local agencies and land-grant
colleges and universities.--The Secretary may encourage any
appropriate State or local agency or land-grant college or
university to provide technical assistance to such groups or
subgrantees to carry out such activities.
SEC. 206. ALLOCATION OF GRANTS.
(a) Allocation by Type of Grant.--Of the amounts made available to
carry out this title for a fiscal year--
(1) $190,000,000 is available for grants to primary
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups
authorized under section 203(a); and
(2) $8,000,000 is available for technical assistance grants
authorized under section 205(a).
(b) Allocation to Pilot Communities.--Of the amounts made available
under subsection (a)(1) to primary community-based nonprofit feeding
and anti-hunger groups for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate
such amounts to one primary community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger group in each of the pilot communities listed in subsection (c)
and may allocate such amounts to one such group in each pilot community
designated by the Secretary under subsection (d)(2). The amount
allocated to a primary community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger group--
(1) shall not be less than $500,000, nor more than
$20,000,000; and
(2) shall be in proportion to the number of individuals and
families within the target population of the pilot community
involved.
(c) Pilot Communities Listed.--For purposes of subsection (b), a
pilot community listed in this subsection is each of the following
areas:
(1) New York, New York.
(2) Chicago, Illinois.
(3) Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(4) Puerto Rico.
(5) Indianapolis, Indiana.
(6) Des Moines, Iowa.
(7) Toledo, Ohio.
(8) Savannah, Georgia.
(9) New Haven, Connecticut.
(10) Roanoke, Virginia.
(11) Santa Cruz County, Santa Clara County, and Monterey
County in California.
(12) Onondaga County in New York.
(13) The rural boroughs in Alaska.
(14) Washington metropolitan region.
(15) Pittsburgh and the suburban and rural areas in
southwestern Pennsylvania.
(16) Rural counties in eastern Kentucky.
(17) Counties in northern West Virginia.
(18) Rural counties in southern Texas.
(19) Rural counties in southern Missouri.
(20) Rural counties in north, west, and central Wisconsin.
(d) Specification of Areas; Designation of Additional Pilot
Communities.--
(1) Specification of areas.--The Secretary shall specify
the counties or other areas to be included in each of the pilot
communities described in paragraphs (15) through (20) of
subsection (c).
(2) Designation of additional pilot communities.--The
Secretary may designate not more than 10 pilot communities in
addition to those listed in subsection (c).
SEC. 207. REPORTS AND EVALUATION.
(a) Subgrantee Report to Primary Community-Based Nonprofit Feeding
and Anti-Hunger Group.--Not later than 90 days after the end of the
fiscal year for which a subgrantee received a subgrant under section
203(e), the subgrantee shall submit to the primary community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group that selected the subgrantee
under such section a report that evaluates the results of the
activities, including financial expenditures, during such fiscal year
of the subgrantee in carrying out the subgrant.
(b) Primary Community-Based Nonprofit Feeding and Anti-Hunger Group
Reports to Secretary.--Not later than 180 days after the end of the
fiscal year for which a primary community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group received a grant under section 203(a), the group
shall submit to the Secretary a report that evaluates the results of
the activities, including financial expenditures, during the preceding
fiscal year of the group in carrying out the grant. Such report shall
include each report submitted to the group by a subgrantee under
subsection (a) for such fiscal year.
(c) Annual Reports to Congress.--Not later than October 31 of each
of calendar years 2020 through 2024, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report on the progress of the pilot program.
(d) Final Report to Congress.--Not later than April 30, 2024, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that evaluates the
successes and challenges of the pilot program and that makes such
recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate for similar
future grants programs.
SEC. 208. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) One-Year Extension of Grants.--
(1) Beyond the soup kitchen grants.--Upon the expiration of
a grant awarded to a community-based nonprofit feeding and
anti-hunger group under section 203(a) and the request of such
group, the Secretary, in accordance with procedures established
by the Secretary, may extend the duration of the grant once, by
one fiscal year, if the Secretary determines that the programs
established and implemented by such group with the grant
resulted in (or are likely to result in) significant progress
in satisfying the purposes of the pilot program described in
section 203(c)(1).
(2) Technical assistance grants.--Upon the expiration of a
grant awarded to a technical assistance community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group under section 205(a)
and the request of such entity, the Secretary, in accordance
with procedures established by the Secretary, may extend the
duration of the grant once, by one fiscal year, if the
Secretary determines that such technical assistance group has
successfully provided all pilot programs with technical
assistance.
(b) Form of Grants.--The Secretary, if the Secretary finds it
appropriate, may use cooperative agreements, as described in section
6305 of title 31, United States Code, for purposes of awarding grants
to primary community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups
under section 203(a) and to technical assistance community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups under section 205(a).
SEC. 209. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(2) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the
Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program established under section
202(a).
(3) Community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger
group.--The term ``community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger group'' means an anti-hunger organization, food bank,
food pantry, soup kitchen, food rescue group, or community food
security organization that--
(A) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under
section 501(a) of such Code; and
(B) is located in (or regularly provides service
to) a pilot community.
(4) Primary community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger group.--The term ``primary community-based nonprofit
feeding and anti-hunger group'' means a community-based
nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group awarded a grant under
section 203(a).
(5) Subgrantee.--The term ``subgrantee'' means a community-
based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group (other than a
primary community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger
group)--
(A) that is selected under section 203(e) by a
primary community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-
hunger group; and
(B) that is located in (or regularly provides
service to) the pilot community in which the primary
nonprofit feeding group is located (or to which the
primary nonprofit feeding group provides regular
service).
(6) Technical assistance community-based nonprofit feeding
and anti-hunger group.--The term ``technical assistance
community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger group'' means
a national, State, or local group that--
(A) is an anti-hunger group, food bank, food
pantry, soup kitchen, food rescue group, or community
food security organization;
(B) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under
section 501(a) of such Code; and
(C) has the capacity to provide technical
assistance to all pilot communities.
(7) Pilot community.--The term ``pilot community'' means a
community specified in section 206(b).
(8) Target population.--The term ``target population''
includes an individual who (or family that)--
(A) earns an income below 200 percent of the
Federal poverty line;
(B) suffers from food insecurity;
(C) earns insufficient income to ensure food
security for such individual or family;
(D) lives in a community that suffers from poverty,
hunger, or food insecurity;
(E) is homeless;
(F) receives (or recently received) assistance
under a State program funded under part A of title IV
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. et seq.),
relating to temporary assistance to needy families; or
(G) is eligible for benefits under any nutrition
assistance or anti-poverty program.
(9) Nutrition assistance and anti-poverty program.--The
term ``nutrition assistance and anti-poverty program'' means
any Federal, State, or local government assistance program
offered to low-income individuals or families, including the
following programs:
(A) The supplemental nutrition assistance program
established under section 4 of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013).
(B) A program authorized under the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et
seq.) or Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et
seq.), including the national school lunch program, the
national school breakfast program, the summer food
service program for children, the special supplemental
nutrition program for women, infants, and children, and
the child and adult care food program.
(C) The earned income tax credit allowed under
section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26
U.S.C. 32).
(10) Food insecurity.--The term ``food insecurity'' means a
lack of consistent access to food.
(11) Washington metropolitan region.--The term ``Washington
metropolitan region'' includes the District of Columbia, the
counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in Maryland, and the
counties of Arlington and Fairfax and the cities of Alexandria
and Falls Church in Virginia.
SEC. 210. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2020 through 2024 to carry out this title.
TITLE III--EFFECTIVE DATE
SEC. 301. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, this Act and the
amendments made by this Act shall take effect on October 1, 2019.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
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