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.

HR9265 was introduced in the House on June 11, 2026, by Rep. Carson (D-IN) and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The bill has 4 cosponsors and 1 committee referral — early stage with minimal momentum. No companion bill in the Senate has been identified. The bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require state participation in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program as a condition of receiving federal subsidies through the National School Lunch Program.

The money trail: This bill authorizes no new funding. It imposes a condition on existing program participation. Summer EBT benefits, if implemented, would require future appropriations. The bill does not change per-meal reimbursement rates, food procurement requirements, or nutritional standards. The mechanism is a state compliance mandate, not a federal spending increase.

Structural winners and losers: Food service distributors (SYY, USFD, PFGC) that supply K-12 school districts are the most exposed to school lunch policy, but this bill does not alter their procurement environment. The bill's mechanism — requiring states to run an EBT program — primarily affects state administrative budgets, not food purchasing. The largest foodservice provider, Sysco, derives less than 5% of revenue from K-12 channels. Revenue impact is negligible.

Timeline: At referral stage with a freshman sponsor and few cosponsors, this bill faces a low probability of passage in the current Congress. No committee hearings scheduled. No Senate companion. Market impact is near zero until and unless the bill advances significantly.