by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist
The weather isn’t the only thing heating up as we approach the end of summer. Interim studies in the Oklahoma House and Senate have been finalized and are beginning to be scheduled. Food security and hunger are highlighted in several of these requested studies, and Hunger Free Oklahoma is working diligently to ensure that data-driven and systemic solutions to hunger are elevated as our legislators delve into the food security landscape in Oklahoma. Here’s an updated list of approved studies and dates.
- HSP 1075, Rep. Boatman: A study on food inequity. 10/24/23
- HSP 1076, Rep. Deck: A study on food security in immigrant communities. 10/24/23
- HSP 1099, Rep. Waldron and Senator Garvin: A study on school lunch program. Date TBD.
- HSP 1115, Rep. Pittman: A study on urban agriculture and combatting food deserts. 10/24/23.
- SSP 1042, Senator Jech: A study of the services provided by the Department of Human Services. Date TBD.
You can view a full list of approved 2023 interim studies here.
P-EBT Updates
- 2023 Summer EBT started going out at the beginning of July.
- Eligibility guidance for 2024 Summer EBT has been issued by the USDA. View the guidance here.
- Oklahoma has yet to confirm it will operate Summer EBT in 2024. When Congress made Summer EBT a permanent program, it also mandated that states must take on 50% of the administrative cost of operating the program. Hunger Free Oklahoma is working with partners to communicate the importance of this program to state officials and ensure that kids don’t go hungry over the summer.
Federal Updates
The August recess for Congress is coming to a close, and legislators have a full plate of budget negotiations to deal with before government funding expires September 30. Some key items on the line include approving spending on the Farm Bill, funding for the Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration. Several members across party lines have acknowledged they’ll likely need to pass a short-term stopgap measure to give them more time to finish budget negotiations this fall.
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