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HB1806 • 2026

Human Services, Dept. of

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 71, relative to food assistance.

Budget Children Education
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Shaw, Yarbro
Last action
2026-03-24
Official status
Taken off notice for cal. in Health Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how many children will be eligible or the exact amount of funding, leaving these points uncertain.

Food Assistance Program Act

This bill requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to apply for federal grants and funds through the summer EBT program by January 1, 2027, to provide nutrition assistance during school breaks.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the state department to apply for federal grants by January 1, 2027, for a summer food assistance program.
  • Changes Tennessee's laws related to food assistance programs.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Tennessee Department of Human Services
  • Eligible children and families receiving nutrition assistance

Terms To Know

EBT
Electronic Benefits Transfer, a system that allows recipients to use cards similar to debit cards for purchasing food.
Summer EBT Program
A federal program providing nutrition assistance during summer months when school meals are not available.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how many children will be eligible or the exact amount of funding.
  • It is unclear if and when the state will receive all requested federal funds.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  2. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026

  3. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal. in Health Committee

  4. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/24/2026

  5. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  6. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026

  7. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026

  8. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  9. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026

  10. 2026-03-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    No Action Taken

  11. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/10/2026

  12. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Health Committee

  13. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/11/2026

  14. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/11/2026

  15. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/4/2026

  16. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/4/2026

  17. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/4/2026

  18. 2026-02-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  19. 2026-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/25/2026

  20. 2026-02-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 2/25/2026

  21. 2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/18/2026

  22. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee

  23. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Health Committee - Finance, Ways & Means Committee

  24. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  25. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  26. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  27. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  28. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 1853
By Yarbro

HOUSE BILL 1806
By Shaw
HB1806
011566
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49
and Title 71, relative to food assistance.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title , Chapter , Part , is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
The department shall apply for federal grants and other federal funds available to
this state through the summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) for children program
established under 42 U.S.C. § 1762 for the purpose of providing nutrition assistance
through the EBT during the summer months for each eligible child to ensure continued
access to food when school is not in session. The department shall submit the
application for the program no later than January 1, 2027.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.