H.R. 8256

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8256 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8256

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to streamline nutrition 
access for older adults and adults with disabilities, and for other 
purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 14, 2026

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Balint, Ms. Barragan, Ms. 
Brownley, Mr. Cohen, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, Mr. 
Goldman of New York, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, 
Mr. Magaziner, Ms. McClellan, Mr. McGarvey, Mr. Morelle, Ms. Norton, 
Ms. Scanlon, and Ms. Simon) introduced the following bill; which was 
referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to streamline nutrition 
access for older adults and adults with disabilities, and for other 
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 
2026''.

SEC. 2. IMPROVING EFFICACY OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM.

(a) Certification Period.--Section 3(f) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(f)) is amended, in the second sentence, by 
striking ``24'' and inserting ``36''.
(b) Standard Medical Expense Deduction.--Section 5(e)(5) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(5)) is amended--
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Excess 
medical'' and inserting ``Medical'';
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``an excess medical'' 
and all that follows through the period at the end and 
inserting ``a standard medical deduction or a medical expense 
deduction of actual costs for the allowable medical expenses 
incurred by the elderly or disabled member, exclusive of 
special diets.'';
(3) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``excess''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Standard medical expense deduction amount.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
clause (ii), the standard medical expense 
deduction shall be equal to--
``(I) for fiscal year 2027, $155; 
and
``(II) for each subsequent fiscal 
year, the applicable amount for the 
immediately preceding fiscal year, as 
adjusted to reflect changes for the 12-
month period ending the preceding June 
30 in the Consumer Price Index for All 
Urban Consumers: Medical Care published 
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of 
the Department of Labor.
``(ii) Exception.--For any fiscal year, a 
State agency may establish a greater standard 
medical expense deduction than the deduction 
described in clause (i) if the greater 
deduction satisfies the applicable cost-
neutrality standards established by the 
Secretary for that fiscal year.''.
(c) Value of Allotment.--Section 8(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2017(a)) is amended, in the proviso, by striking ``8 
percent'' and inserting ``\1/3\''.

SEC. 3. STREAMLINING NUTRITION ACCESS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND ADULTS WITH 
DISABILITIES.

(a) Definition of Elderly and Disabled.--Section 3(j)(2)(B) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(j)(2)(B)) is amended by 
inserting ``(which includes medical assistance provided to an 
individual described in section 1902(e)(14)(D)(i)(III) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14)(D)(i)(III)))'' after ``(42 U.S.C. 
1396 et seq.)''.
(b) Elderly Simplified Application Program.--The Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 31. ELDERLY SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION PROGRAM.

``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a program, to 
be known as the `elderly simplified application program' (referred to 
in this section as `ESAP'), under which a State, in carrying out the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program, may elect to implement a 
streamlined application and certification process for households in 
which all adult members--
``(1) are elderly or disabled members; and
``(2) have no earned income.
``(b) Certification Period.--The certification period for 
participants in ESAP shall be 36 months.
``(c) Income and Other Data Verification.--
``(1) In general.--A State agency determining the 
eligibility for an applicant household under ESAP shall, 
notwithstanding section 11(e)(3)--
``(A) to the maximum extent practicable, use data 
matching for income verification and household size; 
and
``(B)(i) allow self-declaration by the applicant of 
the information required under section 273.2(f) of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
regulation); but
``(ii) verify, prior to certification of the 
household, factors of eligibility provided by the 
applicant that the State agency determines are 
questionable.
``(2) Accountability and fraud prevention.--In carrying out 
paragraph (1), a State agency shall establish accountability 
and fraud protection measures to deter fraud and ensure the 
integrity of ESAP and the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program.
``(d) Interviews.--Notwithstanding section 11(e)(6)(A), for 
recertification of a household under ESAP, a State agency shall not 
require an interview unless requested by the household, which may be 
conducted virtually.
``(e) Guidance.--Prior to the establishment of ESAP under 
subsection (a), the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service 
shall develop guidance for States, including by consulting with States, 
to carry out ESAP, which shall include--
``(1) general implementation guidelines;
``(2) reporting requirements;
``(3) quality control requirements; and
``(4) best practices.''.
(c) Combined Application Program.--The Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) (as amended by subsection (b)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 32. COMBINED APPLICATION PROGRAM.

``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary, in coordination with the 
Commissioner of Social Security, shall establish a program, to be known 
as the `combined application program' (referred to in this section as 
`CAP'), under which a State, in carrying out the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program, may elect to implement a streamlined application 
process for households in which all adult members are applicants for or 
recipients of benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 401 et seq.) on the basis of a disability or supplemental 
security income under title XVI of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.).
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of CAP are--
``(1) to reduce the need for households described in 
subsection (a) to have in-person interviews with State offices 
administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program; 
and
``(2) to increase participation in the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program by simplifying the application 
process for that program through increased automation and 
simplified calculation of benefits.
``(c) CAP Models.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, shall offer, at a 
minimum, each of the following models for States to implement CAP:
``(1) Standard model.--
``(A) In general.--Under the standard model, the 
Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and 
the State agency administering the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program shall coordinate--
``(i) to develop a simplified joint 
application process for the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program that uses 
standardized benefit amounts or standardized 
shelter expenses, in accordance with this 
paragraph; and
``(ii) to conduct outreach to adult members 
receiving supplemental security income under 
title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1381 et seq.) that are not receiving benefits 
under the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program.
``(B) Standardized benefit amounts.--
``(i) In general.--Under the standardized 
model described in subparagraph (A), applicants 
shall receive a standardized or automated 
benefit level under the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program based on the shelter 
expenses and other income of the applicants.
``(ii) Minimum standardized benefit 
levels.--At a minimum, there shall be 2 
standardized benefit levels under clause (i), 
including, as determined by the State--
``(I) a level for participants with 
low shelter expenses; and
``(II) a level for participants 
with high shelter expenses.
``(iii) Comparable amount.--A State shall 
ensure that the amount provided under a 
standardized benefit level under clause (i) is 
comparable to an amount that a participant 
would otherwise receive under the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program.
``(iv) Referral.--A State shall refer a 
household described in subsection (a) to the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program 
instead of enrolling that household in CAP if 
the standardized amount that the household 
would receive under CAP would be significantly 
less than the amount of benefits that the 
household would receive under the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program.
``(C) Standardized shelter expenses.--In computing 
an excess shelter expense deduction under section 
5(e)(6), a State agency may use a standard utility 
allowance in accordance with regulations promulgated by 
the Secretary.
``(2) Modified model.--Under the modified model, a State 
agency administering the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program shall--
``(A) conduct outreach to prospective participants 
in the supplemental nutrition assistance program using 
information from the Social Security Administration to 
identify households described in subsection (a) that 
are not participants in the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program; and
``(B) send to those households simplified 
application forms for the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program.''.

SEC. 4. ENROLLMENT AND OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS, KINSHIP 
FAMILIES, AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) (as 
amended by section 3(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 33. ENROLLMENT AND OUTREACH PILOT PROGRAM FOR OLDER ADULTS, 
KINSHIP FAMILIES, AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Disability.--The term `disability' has the meaning 
given the term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a State or local government agency;
``(B) an Indian tribe or Tribal organization;
``(C) a nonprofit organization, including a public 
or nonprofit provider of services;
``(D) a community-based organization; and
``(E) an educational provider.
``(3) Kinship family.--The term `kinship family' means a 
family in which a child resides with, and is being raised by, a 
grandparent, another extended family member, or an adult with 
whom the child has a close family-like relationship, such as a 
godparent or a close family friend.
``(4) Older adult.--The term `older adult' has the meaning 
given the term `older individual' in section 102 of the Older 
Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).
``(5) Pilot program.--The term `pilot program' means the 
Enrollment and Outreach Pilot Program for Older Adults, Kinship 
Families, and Adults with Disabilities established under 
subsection (b).
``(b) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot 
program, to be known as the `Enrollment and Outreach Pilot Program for 
Older Adults, Kinship Families, and Adults with Disabilities', under 
which the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities--
``(1) to raise awareness among older adults, kinship 
families, and adults with disabilities of the availability, 
eligibility requirements, application procedures, and benefits 
of the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
``(2) to support older adults, kinship families, and adults 
with disabilities in enrolling in the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program.
``(c) Priority.--In awarding grants under the pilot program, the 
Secretary shall give priority to--
``(1) eligible entities that--
``(A) provide services to older adults or adults 
with disabilities;
``(B) provide services to kinship families, 
including kinship navigator programs;
``(C) have experience implementing programs that 
receive funding under the Older Americans Act of 1965 
(42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.);
``(D) have experience implementing programs 
administered by the Food and Nutrition Service; or
``(E) receive, plan to receive, or demonstrate an 
ability to partner with a program that receives, 
funding under--
``(i) the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
U.S.C. 3001 et seq.);
``(ii) the Americans with Disabilities Act 
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); or
``(iii) 1 or more nutrition programs 
administered by the Secretary; and
``(2) projects that will--
``(A) serve communities with high rates of food 
insecurity, malnutrition, or low food access;
``(B) serve rural communities, indigenous 
communities, or communities of color;
``(C) serve members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, 
transgender, and queer community;
``(D) serve adults with limited English 
proficiency;
``(E) serve veterans;
``(F) serve residents in federally subsidized 
housing, including federally subsidized housing units 
for older adults and adults with disabilities;
``(G) serve residents living in housing serving 
kinship families; and
``(H) incorporate nutrition education activities 
that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles.
``(d) Eligible Activities.--An eligible entity receiving a grant 
under the pilot program shall use the grant to carry out 1 or more of 
the following activities:
``(1) Application assistance, including--
``(A) eligibility prescreening;
``(B) assistance in completing an application for 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program;
``(C) assistance in obtaining application 
verification documents;
``(D) medical expense deduction counseling; and
``(E) translation of materials and bilingual 
accommodation.
``(2) Tailored dissemination of information relating to the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program, including through--
``(A) community-based outreach workshops and 
events;
``(B) a toll-free hotline to provide information 
about Federal, State, and local food resources;
``(C) informational websites and other social media 
sites; and
``(D) printed or digital informational content.
``(3) Transportation, including--
``(A) transportation to or from a local office of 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
``(B) administration of vouchers or similar items 
for the transportation described in subparagraph (A).
``(4) Identification, implementation, analysis, and 
dissemination of replicable and scalable models for increasing 
enrollment in the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
among older adults, kinship families, and adults with 
disabilities.
``(e) Grants.--
``(1) Maximum amount.--A grant awarded under the pilot 
program to an eligible entity for a fiscal year shall be not 
less than $50,000, but not more than $250,000.
``(2) Duration.--An eligible entity may be awarded a grant 
under the pilot program for not more than 5 years.
``(f) Evaluation.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
establishment of the pilot program, the Secretary shall conduct an 
evaluation of the pilot program.
``(g) Funding.--
``(1) In general.--In addition to amounts otherwise 
available, there is appropriated, out of any funds in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $12,250,000, to remain 
available until expended, to carry out the pilot program, of 
which not more than $250,000 shall be used to carry out the 
evaluation under subsection (f).
``(2) Administrative costs.--Of the amounts made available 
under paragraph (1) (excluding the amount made available to 
carry out subsection (f)), not more than 3 percent may be used 
by the Secretary for administrative costs.''.

SEC. 5. FOOD DELIVERY UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) (as 
amended by section 4) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 34. FOOD DELIVERY.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered retail food store.--The term `covered retail 
food store' means a retail food store, a public or private 
nonprofit meal delivery service, or a public or nonprofit meal 
delivery provider participating in the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program that is unable to cover the cost of food 
delivery for participants of that program.
``(2) Employee.--The term `employee' has the meaning given 
the term in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 
(29 U.S.C. 203).
``(b) Program Modifications.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program, the Secretary shall--
``(A) notify retail food stores participating in 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program of 
existing opportunities through which the retail food 
stores can deliver food to program participants, 
including by--
``(i) allowing an EBT card to be swiped on 
delivery of food to the home (with a mobile 
device); and
``(ii) preparing food for pick-up;
``(B) authorize public-private partnerships between 
the Department of Agriculture, retail food stores 
participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program, and community-based organizations to provide 
free or low-cost food delivery, including through the 
use of private funds;
``(C) in the case of a covered retail food store, 
use funds made available under subparagraph (E) of 
paragraph (3) to provide, in accordance with that 
paragraph, free grocery delivery for program 
participants who are older adults or adults with 
disabilities (as those terms are defined in section 
33(a)) who are unable to shop for food or lack safe and 
accessible transportation options to the covered retail 
food store; and
``(D) require each State to submit to the Secretary 
a State plan that describes how the State will--
``(i) work with retail food stores 
participating in the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program and other community-based 
partners to establish a process for food 
delivery for program participants;
``(ii) administer the reimbursements 
described in paragraph (3), including timing, 
eligibility, and distribution processes; and
``(iii) ensure that retail food stores 
participating in the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program that are reimbursed for 
delivery costs under paragraph (3) adhere to 
the requirements described in subparagraph (B) 
of that paragraph.
``(2) State plans.--Not later than 10 days after the date 
on which the Secretary receives a State plan under paragraph 
(1)(D), the Secretary shall--
``(A) approve or deny the State plan; and
``(B) make publicly available on the website of the 
Department of Agriculture--
``(i) the State plan;
``(ii) the determination made under 
subparagraph (A) with respect to that plan; and
``(iii) any guidance issued to the State 
with respect to that plan.
``(3) Reimbursement of covered retail food stores.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law (including sections 274.7(f) and 
278.2(b) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
successor regulations), and any other regulations), 
subject to the availability of funds, a State agency 
shall reimburse a covered retail food store for the 
cost of food delivery to participants described in 
paragraph (1)(C) if--
``(i) the covered retail food store meets 
the requirements under subparagraph (B); and
``(ii) the majority of the number of food 
items delivered by the covered retail food 
store are eligible for redemption using 
benefits under the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program, regardless of whether the 
delivery includes nonfood items, subject to the 
condition that those nonfood items are of de 
minimis value.
``(B) Requirements.--A covered retail food store 
may receive reimbursement for the cost of food delivery 
to participants described in paragraph (1)(C) if the 
following requirements are met:
``(i) Food delivery is performed by 
employees of the covered retail food store or 
employees of an entity contracted by the 
covered retail food store to perform 
deliveries.
``(ii) Before any employee described in 
clause (i) begins making food deliveries, that 
employee receives employer-provided health and 
safety training that reflects the most recent 
guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
``(iii) All employees described in clause 
(i) performing deliveries are paid at a rate 
that is not less than the greater of--
``(I) the minimum wage rate 
established under section 6(a)(1) of 
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 
(29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)); and
``(II) the minimum wage rate 
established by the applicable State or 
locality in which the employee works.
``(iv) The covered retail food store meets 
the size standard determined by the Small 
Business Administration for a supermarket or 
other grocery retailer or a convenience 
retailer under section 121.201 of title 13, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
regulation).
``(v) The covered retail food store does 
not--
``(I) charge the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program 
participant for delivery costs for 
which the covered retail food store 
will be reimbursed;
``(II) require minimum purchase 
thresholds in order to provide free 
delivery;
``(III) restrict delivery times to 
least-favorable windows for 
supplemental nutrition assistance 
program participants; or
``(IV) charge surge pricing.
``(C) Reimbursable costs.--Reimbursable costs under 
subparagraph (A) include costs associated with 
purchasing point-of-sale devices or receiving technical 
assistance relating to point-of-sale devices.
``(D) Maximum reimbursement per delivery.--The 
maximum amount of reimbursement under subparagraph (A) 
for a food delivery fee shall be $10 per delivery, 
which may be adjusted by the Secretary for inflation.
``(E) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, and each fiscal year 
thereafter, to remain available until expended, to 
cover the cost of food delivery described in paragraph 
(1)(C), to be distributed among States to fund 
reimbursements by States under subparagraph (A).
``(4) Report.--Not later than April 30, 2028, and April 30 
of each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the 
Special Committee on Aging of the Senate, and the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives, a report that 
describes, for the period covered by the report, as 
applicable--
``(A) the number of supplemental nutrition 
assistance program participants using food delivery 
services, including the percentage of those 
participants that are older adults and adults with 
disabilities (as those terms are defined in section 
33(a));
``(B) the covered retail food stores that were 
reimbursed under paragraph (3), including the amount of 
each reimbursement;
``(C) any complications or difficulties experienced 
by States in administering reimbursements under 
paragraph (3); and
``(D) recommendations or best practices to assist 
States in implementing food delivery programs.''.

SEC. 6. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM.

(a) Funds.--Section 4 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection 
Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by striking 
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Funds.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is 
appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, to carry out the program under this section $10,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.''.
(b) Adults With Disabilities.--Section 5 of the Agriculture and 
Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) 
is amended--
(1) by striking ``2023'' each place it appears and 
inserting ``2031'';
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``to low-income 
persons aged 60 and older.'' and inserting the 
following: ``to--
``(A) low-income persons aged 60 and older; and
``(B) low-income adults with disabilities (as 
defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102)).'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
(3);
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Income eligibility.--For purposes of paragraph (1), a 
low-income individual described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
that paragraph shall have a gross income level that is less 
than 185 percent of the Federal poverty line.''; and
(D) in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) (as so 
redesignated), in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ``of--'' and all that follows through the 
period at the end of clause (ii) and inserting ``of 36 
months.''; and
(3) in subsection (i), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)--
(A) by inserting ``or low-income adults with 
disabilities described in subsection (g)(1)(B)'' after 
``elderly persons''; and
(B) by striking ``to each elderly participant in, 
or applicant for, the commodity supplemental food 
program for the elderly'' and inserting ``to each 
participant in, or applicant for, such a program''.

SEC. 7. SENIORS FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``Of the funds'' and inserting the 
following:
``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by 
inserting ``(referred to in this section as the 
`Secretary')'' after ``Agriculture''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out and 
expand the seniors farmers' market nutrition program--
``(A) not less than $60,000,000 for fiscal year 
2027;
``(B) not less than $70,000,000 for fiscal year 
2028; and
``(C) not less than $100,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2029 through 2031.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``and adults with 
disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102))'' before the 
semicolon at the end;
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) through (f) as 
subsections (f) through (i), respectively; and
(4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Benefit Amounts.--Under the seniors farmers' market nutrition 
program--
``(1) the minimum individual benefit shall be $35; and
``(2) the maximum individual benefit shall be $80.
``(d) Certification Period.--The certification period for 
participants in the seniors farmers' market nutrition program shall be 
36 months.
``(e) Modernization Grants.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of the Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026, the 
Secretary shall establish a grant program under which the 
Secretary shall award grants to State agencies, including 
Tribal organizations (as defined in section 3 of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012)) and territories, that 
administer the senior farmers' market nutrition program to 
modernize program operations, including--
``(A) by transitioning from paper-based coupons to 
an electronic transaction technology, such as a web-
based service or installable software; and
``(B) by increasing benefit use at farmers' 
markets.
``(2) Grant amount.--
``(A) In general.--The amount of a grant awarded 
under paragraph (1) shall not exceed $350,000.
``(B) Supplies.--Not more than $25,000 may be used 
to carry out subparagraph (F) of paragraph (3).
``(3) Eligible expenses.--An entity receiving a grant under 
paragraph (1) may use the grant for--
``(A) costs associated with the procurement of 
electronic transaction technology;
``(B) planning costs, including personnel costs, 
relating to electronic transaction technology 
procurement and implementation;
``(C) costs associated with evaluating the impact 
of transitioning from coupon-based operations to an 
electronic transaction technology;
``(D) training, outreach, and promotional material 
costs, including the costs associated with translating 
materials;
``(E) maintenance and operation of electronic 
transaction technology procured using the grant during 
the period of performance of the grant;
``(F) the purchase of supplies needed to perform 
electronic transactions onsite; and
``(G) additional costs associated with modernizing 
program operations, as determined appropriate by the 
Secretary.
``(4) Reports.--Each entity that receives a grant under 
paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary and the 
Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service quarterly 
performance progress reports on the use of the grant.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
subsection $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal 
year thereafter.''.
(b) Income Guidelines.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall revise 
section 249.6(a)(3) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation), to ensure that income eligibility under that 
section is at or below 200 percent of the poverty income guidelines.

SEC. 8. INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR FARMERS' MARKETS; LOCAL PROCUREMENT 
PILOT PROGRAM.

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 is amended by 
inserting after section 4402 (7 U.S.C. 3007) the following:

``SEC. 4403. INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR FARMERS' MARKETS; LOCAL 
PROCUREMENT PILOT PROGRAM.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Disability.--The term `disability' has the meaning 
given the term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
``(2) Financial assistance.--The term `financial 
assistance' means--
``(A) a loan;
``(B) a loan guarantee; and
``(C) a grant.
``(3) Older adult.--The term `older adult' has the meaning 
given the term `older individual' in section 102 of the Older 
Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).
``(4) Program.--The term `program' means the program 
established under subsection (b)(2).
``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
of Agriculture.
``(b) Infrastructure Funding for Farmers' Markets.--
``(1) Definition of eligible entity.--In this subsection, 
the term `eligible entity' means an entity that--
``(A) is--
``(i) an agricultural cooperative or other 
agricultural business entity or a producer 
network or association, including a community-
supported agriculture network or association;
``(ii) a local or Tribal government;
``(iii) a nonprofit corporation;
``(iv) a public benefit corporation;
``(v) an economic development corporation;
``(vi) a regional farmers' market 
authority;
``(vii) a food council; or
``(viii) any other entity as determined by 
the Secretary; and
``(B) can demonstrate financial need, as determined 
by the Secretary.
``(2) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of the Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026, 
the Secretary shall establish a program under which the 
Secretary shall provide financial assistance to eligible 
entities for--
``(A) the establishment of new farmers' markets;
``(B) the improvement or rehabilitation of existing 
farmers' markets, including by adding or improving 
payment technologies used in those farmers' markets; 
and
``(C) the expansion of community supported 
agriculture to serve older adults and adults with 
disabilities.
``(3) Requirements.--An eligible entity that receives 
financial assistance under the program shall be required--
``(A) to host farmers' markets or related 
activities at locations accessible--
``(i) by public transportation;
``(ii) by paratransit; or
``(iii) through transportation services 
provided under the Older Americans Act of 1965 
(42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.); and
``(B) to reserve not less than 50 percent of the 
floor area of an applicable farmers' market for the 
sale of products that are produced locally, as 
determined by the Secretary, by--
``(i) farmers, ranchers, or aquaculture, 
mariculture, or fisheries operators; or
``(ii) associations of farmers, ranchers, 
or aquaculture, mariculture, or fisheries 
operators.
``(4) Cost sharing.--The non-Federal share of a grant 
provided under the program shall be 20 percent of the amount of 
the grant, which may comprise transportation costs, volunteer 
contributions, and in-kind staffing.
``(5) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out the program 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
``(c) Local Procurement Pilot Program.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Agricultural producer.--The term 
`agricultural producer' includes--
``(i) an agricultural cooperative;
``(ii) a person engaged in farming, 
ranching, or aquaculture;
``(iii) a person engaged in the packing of 
a food product; and
``(iv) a person engaged in the minimal 
processing of a food product, as determined by 
the Secretary.
``(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
means an entity that--
``(i)(I) coordinates enrollment in, and 
distribution of, benefits under the seniors 
farmers' market nutrition program; or
``(II) demonstrates an ability to partner 
with an entity that coordinates enrollment in 
and distribution of benefits under the seniors 
farmers' market nutrition program; and
``(ii) is--
``(I) a public or nonprofit 
provider of nutrition services or 
support to older adults or adults with 
disabilities, including--
``(aa) an Aging and 
Disability Resource Center (as 
defined in section 102 of the 
Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
U.S.C. 3002));
``(bb) an area agency on 
aging (as defined in that 
section);
``(cc) a State health 
insurance program;
``(dd) a State unit on 
aging;
``(ee) a center for 
independent living;
``(ff) a community health 
center;
``(gg) a multipurpose 
senior center; and
``(hh) federally subsidized 
housing, including federally 
subsidized housing units for 
older adults and adults with 
disabilities; or
``(II) a local, State, or national 
parks and recreation department.
``(2) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of the Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026, 
the Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the 
Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to contract 
with agricultural producers that will grow produce to support 
the local procurement and contracting of produce for eligible 
entities.
``(3) Priority.--In awarding grants under paragraph (2), 
the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that 
will use the grant funds to benefit underserved communities, 
including communities that are located in areas of concentrated 
poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally 
grown food.
``(4) Methods.--Under a contract described in paragraph 
(2), an agricultural producer may grow produce through 
traditional or controlled environmental agriculture farming.
``(5) Evaluation.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
establishment of the pilot program under paragraph (2), the 
Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot program.
``(6) Funding.--
``(A) In general.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry 
out this subsection $350,000 for each of fiscal years 
2027 through 2031.
``(B) Administrative costs.--Of the amounts made 
available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, not 
more than 5 percent may be used for administrative 
costs.
``(C) Evaluation.--In addition to amounts made 
available under subparagraph (A), there is appropriated 
to the Secretary, out of any funds in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, $25,000 to carry out paragraph 
(5).''.
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