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SB1853 • 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
Yarbro, Shaw
Last action
2026-04-01
Official status
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on replacing the current state-funded grocery assistance program with federal funds, so this claim was removed.

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.
  • The goal is to help children get food when they are not in school.
  • This will use a system called EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) during summer months.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Children who need nutrition assistance during the summer break from school.
  • The Tennessee Department of Human Services, which will manage the application process and implementation.

Terms To Know

EBT
Electronic Benefits Transfer - a system used to distribute food benefits.
Summer EBT for Children Program
A federal program that provides nutrition assistance during summer months when school meals are not available.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what will happen if the state is unable to secure federal funding.
  • Details about how many children might benefit from the program are not provided.

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

    Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  5. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

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

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

  12. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  13. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  14. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  15. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  16. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  17. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 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

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

  23. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee

  24. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  25. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  26. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  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 
HOUSE BILL 1806
By Shaw

SENATE BILL 1853
By Yarbro
SB1853
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.