School Food Modernization Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5731

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:06:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

School Food Modernization Act (H.R. 5731)

Purpose

This legislation amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide loan guarantees and grants for school meal facility improvements and equipment purchases. It also establishes training programs for school food service personnel and requires studies and reports on related administrative practices. The overall aim is to support healthy meal preparation and program efficiency in schools.

Key Provisions

• Loan Guarantees and Grants for Facilities (New Section 27): Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee loans (up to 80% of principal) for infrastructure construction, remodeling, or expansion, and durable equipment purchases over $500. Preferences are given to entities showing substantial need for improvements. Funding draws from $300 million in existing community facility loan authority, with up to 5% available for technical assistance.
• Equipment Grants: Starting in fiscal year 2026, provides grants to state agencies for competitive subgrants to schools and local agencies for equipment to serve healthy meals and improve food safety. Authorizes $35 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with similar technical assistance allowances.
• Training and Technical Assistance (New Section 21A): Creates a competitive grant program for eligible third-party institutions (such as nonprofits, higher education entities, or career schools) to deliver training on nutrition standards and program operations. Authorizes $10 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, with an 80% federal cost share and matching requirements.
• Reporting Requirements: Mandates annual reports to Congress on implementation progress, beginning one year after funding availability.
• Study on State Administrative Expense Funds: Requires a study on fund usage, effective practices, barriers, and training applications, with an assessment tool and a report due within 18 months. Includes recommendations for best practices dissemination.
• Offset: Rescinds $45 million from unobligated Department of Education administrative expenses.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces new sections 21A and 27 into the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, creating dedicated federal financing and training mechanisms not previously specified.
• Expands USDA authority to use rural development loan guarantees for school-specific infrastructure.
• Establishes new grant structures for equipment and personnel training, with defined preferences, oversight, and funding caps.
• Adds mandatory studies and reporting on administrative expense fund effectiveness.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Secretary of Agriculture, including oversight through the Under Secretary for Rural Development, grant administration, and study conduct. Requires coordination with state agencies and may affect Department of Education operations via the funding offset.
• Citizens: Schools and students may benefit from upgraded facilities, equipment, and trained staff, potentially improving meal quality and safety. Tribal organizations and consortia gain eligibility for support.
• International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Local educational agencies and school food authorities.
• Tribal organizations.
• School food service personnel.
• State agencies administering school meal programs.
• Eligible third-party training institutions (nonprofits, higher education, and career schools).
• The Department of Agriculture and Department of Education.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Relies on federal credit reform processes for loan guarantees, with fees structured to cover costs under existing law.
• Requires matching funds and oversight procedures to ensure compliance.
• Bipartisan introduction suggests cross-party support, though implementation depends on appropriations and unobligated balances.
• No explicit constitutional provisions addressed; focuses on administrative and funding authorities within existing child nutrition frameworks.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

Cosponsors (16)

Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
• 2025-10-10: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-10-10: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-10-10: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-10-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-10-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• School Food Modernization Act — issued 2025-10-10 — PDF (14 pages)