Breakfast After the Bell Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7999

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-19: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-02T22:27:52Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Breakfast After the Bell Act of 2026 aims to encourage schools to offer breakfast after the school day has started by providing extra federal funding. This supports increased participation in school breakfast programs, particularly in schools serving many low-income students.

Key Provisions

• Additional Reimbursement: State educational agencies (SEAs, which oversee school nutrition programs in each state) receive an extra 10 cents for each qualifying reimbursable breakfast served.
• Breakfast must be served after the school day begins.
• It must use a "breakfast after the bell" model, such as serving in classrooms or at kiosks outside the cafeteria, as approved by the SEA to boost participation.
• Eligible schools are those:
• Served by a local educational agency (LEA, school district) that opts for special assistance payments (for high-poverty "provision 2" schools), or
• With at least 40% of enrolled students certified for free or reduced-price meals in the prior school year.
• Fund Distribution: SEAs must pass the extra 10 cents directly to the school that served the breakfast.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 11(a) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (the main U.S. law funding school lunches and breakfasts) by adding a new paragraph (4).
• Introduces the first specific reimbursement bonus for "breakfast after the bell" programs, building on existing reimbursement rates without altering them.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: SEAs and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (which funds these programs) will distribute more funds, increasing federal spending on school breakfasts.
• Citizens: Schools in high-need areas gain extra money to expand breakfast access, potentially improving student nutrition, attendance, and learning by making meals more convenient.
• No notable international relations impacts.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• State and local educational agencies (administrators of funds).
• Schools, especially high-poverty ones eligible for special assistance or with ≥40% low-income students.
• Students, particularly low-income children who benefit from easier breakfast access.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Straightforward funding amendment; no new mandates or penalties, relying on voluntary program adoption.
• Constitutional: None identified; fits Congress's spending power for child nutrition.
• Political: Promotes equity in school meals without broad mandates, targeting need-based schools to encourage flexible service models.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-19: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2026-03-19: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-19: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Breakfast After the Bell Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-19 — PDF (3 pages)