U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB8798: Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026
Status: In committee, May 13, 2026
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, May 13, 2026:
A BILL To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as table of contents. Sec. 2. Effective date. Title I--School Breakfast Program Sec. 101. Free school breakfast program. Title II--School Lunch Program Sec. 201. Apportionment to States. Sec. 202. Nutritional and other program requirements. Sec. 203. Special assistance program. Sec. 204. Price for a paid lunch. Sec. 205. Summer food service program for children. Sec. 206. Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program. Sec. 207. Child and adult care food program. Sec. 208. Meals and supplements for children in afterschool care. Sec. 209. Pilot projects. Sec. 210. Fresh fruit and vegetable program. Sec. 211. Training, technical assistance, and Food Service Management Institute. Sec. 212. Reimbursement of school meal delinquent debt program. Sec. 213. Conforming amendments. Title III--Elementary and Secondary Education Data Sec. 301. Measure of poverty. Title IV--Amendments to Other Programs and Laws Sec. 401. Supplemental nutrition assistance program. Sec. 402. Higher Education Act of 1965. Sec. 403. Elementary and Secondary …
Sponsors
- Ilhan Omar (D, HD-005) · primary sponsor
- James McGovern (D, HD-002)
- Gwen Moore (D, HD-004)
- Pete Aguilar (D)
- Gabe Amo (D, HD-RI-1)
- Yassamin Ansari (D, HD-003)
- Jake Auchincloss (D, HD-004)
- Balint, Becca (D, HD-000)
- Nanette Barragan (D)
- Joyce Beatty (D, HD-003)
- Wesley Bell (D, HD-001)
- Suzanne Bonamici (D)
Latest actions
- : Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- : Introduced in House
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Common questions
- What is HB8798?
- HB8798 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026.
- What does HB8798 do?
- In its own words: To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make breakfasts and lunches free for all children, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB8798?
- In committee as of May 13, 2026. Latest action: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (May 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB8798?
- Ilhan Omar (D, HD-005), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB8798?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8798
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.