Bills · HR 3700
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 3700Agriculture and Food
MEALS Act of 2025
INTRO JUN 4· LAST ACTION JUN 4
READING
8MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a significant problem for vulnerable families: the theft of food benefits. Many low-income families rely on Summer EBT to feed their children when school is out. Currently, if these benefits are stolen through increasingly common methods like card skimming, families often have no recourse and simply lose the money, leaving them struggling to put food on the table.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a safety net for these families, ensuring that their children don't go hungry due to criminal activity. It also aims to proactively tackle the problem of EBT fraud by requiring better security measures and coordinated efforts to prevent theft. If it doesn't pass, families would continue to bear the burden of stolen benefits, and efforts to combat EBT fraud might remain less coordinated and effective.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires State agencies and covered Indian Tribal organizations to replace Summer EBT benefits stolen through card skimming, card cloning, or similar fraudulent methods.
This ensures that eligible families who lose their benefits due to criminal activity can still access the food assistance they need.
PROVISION 02
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue guidance and regulations requiring State agencies and Indian Tribal organizations to implement security measures to detect and prevent Summer EBT theft.
This aims to proactively reduce the incidence of theft, protecting families' benefits before they are stolen.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the Secretary to coordinate with various entities, including other government agencies, states, tribes, retailers, and EBT contractors, to understand and combat EBT fraud.
A coordinated approach is crucial for effectively identifying theft methods, locations, and establishing robust prevention measures across the system.
PROVISION 04
Requires State agencies and Indian Tribal organizations to include a plan for replacement of stolen benefits, including procedures for claims, validation, and reporting, in their operational plans.
This standardizes the process for families to report theft and receive replacement benefits, ensuring consistency and accountability.
PROVISION 05
Requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress within two years on the frequency and location of Summer EBT thefts and actions taken to prevent them.
This provides oversight and ensures accountability on the effectiveness of fraud prevention measures and the scope of the problem.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Oregon
YRS IN OFFICE
14
BILLS LED
67
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUN 4
Introduced in House
JUN 4
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 3700
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJun 4, 2025
Last actionJun 4, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUN 4, 2025
House BillHR 3700Agriculture and Food
MEALS Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUN 4, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 4, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
8 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
