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SB 980

Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mack Bernard and 1 co-sponsor

SB 980 would have funded a pilot food insecurity relief program at Florida colleges but died in budget committee over cost concerns.

Died in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
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Bill Summary · SB 980

Legislative bill overview

SB 980 established a pilot program to address food insecurity among Florida college and university students by providing funding and resources to participating institutions. The bill would have created a framework for campuses to implement hunger-relief initiatives, including food pantries, meal assistance programs, and emergency food resources for students facing financial hardship.

Why is this important

Food insecurity affects a significant portion of college students nationally and can directly impact academic performance, retention rates, and student mental health. Addressing this issue through institutional support could reduce barriers to educational success and help students complete their degrees without facing basic needs crises.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source and state budget constraints: The bill died in the Appropriations Committee, suggesting concerns about fiscal impact and competing budget priorities during a time of limited state resources
  • Institutional versus individual responsibility: Questions about whether food assistance is primarily a state/institutional duty or whether it duplicates existing federal aid programs like SNAP and work-study
  • Implementation feasibility: Uncertainty about how pilot programs would be structured, which institutions would participate, and whether results would justify broader expansion

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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