Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Appropriations subcommittee declines full summer EBT request; advocates urge restoration to reach children in rural areas
Summary
The committee opted not to move the executive's full Summer EBT decision package into the HB2 narrative, citing overlap with existing summer feeding programs and cost; food‑security advocates and the Montana Food Bank Network told the panel the card‑based benefit reaches children in areas without congregate feeding sites and urged restoration.
The House Appropriations Subcommittee (Section B) discussed but did not adopt the executive decision package that would have funded a statewide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) program at the levels requested in the governor’s budget.
What the hearing covered: lawmakers, LFD staff and DPHHS representatives outlined how Summer EBT works and how it overlaps with the long‑standing Summer Food Service Program administered through the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). Members heard data from agency and LFD staff about usage in Montana’s first pilot year and were told the federal Food and Nutrition Service offers Summer EBT under state plans.
Program details discussed in testimony - Cards and benefits: DPHHS and legislative staff said state plans used by other jurisdictions provided households a benefit on an EBT card,…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
