MEALS Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici
Introduced
Summary
Preventing and replacing stolen Summer EBT benefits is the bill's main aim. It would create a federal-to-state framework of security standards, replacement rules for stolen benefits, and oversight to fight card skimming, cloning, and other fraud.
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- Families and students: Would let households get stolen summer EBT benefits replaced through a set replacement process, reducing losses from card skimming and cloning.
- State agencies and administrators: Requires states to follow federal guidance and new rulemaking on security standards and enforcement, and sets procedures for reimbursement and program performance reporting.
- Federal oversight and interagency coordination: Directs the Comptroller General to review and report on fraud prevention performance and pushes alignment with industry security standards and interagency cooperation.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Replace stolen summer EBT and tighten security
If your State or Tribal agency participates, you could get stolen summer EBT benefits replaced. The payback would be the smaller of your unreplaced theft this year or the last summer EBT amount issued to you. You would need to report the theft and sign a statement; agencies would have to validate and issue replacements. USDA would issue security guidance right away and require replacement rules within 1 year, working with HHS, the Attorney General, retailers, and EBT contractors. Current participants would have 60 days after enactment to submit an initial replacement plan.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bonamici
OR • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov