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S 540 114th Congress Senate Agriculture and Food Education programs funding Educational facilities and institutions Elementary and secondary education Food assistance and relief Food supply, safety, and labeling Government lending and loan guarantees Nutrition and diet Poverty and welfare assistance School administration User charges and fees

School Food Modernization Act

Introduced: February 24, 2015 Introduced by: Collins, Susan M. Republican · Maine See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 24, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1077)
Feb 24, 2015
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

School Food Modernization Act

Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue loan guarantees to local educational agencies (LEAs) or school food authorities administering or operating a school lunch program, tribal organizations, or consortia of such entities to finance the construction, remodeling, or expansion of infrastructure or the purchase of durable equipment that will facilitate their provision of healthy meals through the school lunch program.

Requires USDA to give a preference to applicants that demonstrate a substantial or disproportionate need for food service infrastructure or durable equipment. Prohibits a loan guarantee from covering more than 80% of a loan's principal.

Requires USDA to establish fees for the loan guarantee program that: (1) are sufficient to cover the federal government's administrative costs in operating the program, and (2) may be based on the risk premium associated with the particular loan or loan guarantee.

Directs USDA to award competitive matching grants to assist LEAs or school food authorities administering or operating a school lunch program, tribal organizations, or consortia of such entities in purchasing the durable equipment and infrastructure they need to serve healthier meals and improve food safety.

Requires USDA to give grant priority to applicants that: (1) have identified and are reasonably expected to meet an unmet local or community need, and (2) are located in states that have enacted funding measures to assist them with such purchases.

Prohibits such a grant from covering more than 80% of the total cost of the durable equipment and infrastructure.

Directs USDA to award competitive matching grants to experienced third-party training institutions to provide school food service personnel with the training and technical assistance they need to: (1) meet school lunch program nutrition standards, and (2) improve the efficacy and efficiency of the school lunch and breakfast programs.

Prohibits such a grant from covering more than 80% of the total cost of the training and technical assistance.

What's happening now February 24, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1077)

 Committees of jurisdiction 1