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SB 574

Relating to: funding for the supplemental food program for women, infants and children during the federal government shutdown and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Carpenter and 8 co-sponsors

The bill would temporarily fund and continue WIC benefits during a federal funding lapse using state funds, preventing benefit interruptions.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 574

SB 574 — Funding WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) During a Federal Funding Lapse

Main purpose

SB 574 directs the State to continue providing benefits through the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during a lapse in federal appropriations (a federal government shutdown) by authorizing state funding and creating a temporary appropriation mechanism. The intent is to maintain benefit levels for enrolled participants until federal WIC funding resumes.

Key provisions

  • Directs the Department of Health Services (DHS) to continue providing WIC benefits at the level in effect immediately prior to the federal lapse in appropriations that began October 1, 2025, notwithstanding statutory limits that rely on available federal grant funds.
  • Creates a "sum sufficient" General Purpose Revenue (GPR) appropriation (under s. 20.435(1)(en) of the statutes) to pay for WIC food benefits and related administrative costs while the federal lapse continues.
  • Authorizes state support not only for food package costs but also for funding to local WIC agencies, DHS staffing (FTE) and contractual/administrative expenses necessary to deliver benefits.
  • Nonstatutory language clarifies DHS must continue benefits until federal legislation restores funding under the federal WIC authority (24 U.S.C. §1786).
  • The statute establishing the temporary appropriation is repealed on October 1, 2026; the act otherwise takes effect the day after publication.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children currently enrolled in the WIC program (participants who would otherwise lose benefits during a federal shutdown).
  • State agencies: Department of Health Services (operational responsibilities and program administration).
  • Local WIC agencies: administrative operations and benefit delivery.
  • State finances: General Purpose Revenue would be used to backfill federal funds while the lapse persists.

Fiscal impact and estimates

  • Fiscal Note indicates the bill would increase GPR expenditures by an indeterminate amount because program costs depend on participant utilization and the duration of the federal lapse.
  • Estimated food-package costs (state-equivalent): roughly $1.9–$2.2 million per week, or $7.6–$8.8 million per month.
  • Additional administrative support and local agency funding are estimated at about $2.5 million per month.
  • Because length of a federal funding lapse and actual utilization are unknown, total cost is uncertain and described as indeterminate.

Timeline / Effective dates

  • The act takes effect the day after publication, except the temporary appropriation repeal (s. 20.435(1)(en)) becomes effective October 1, 2026.
  • The bill is explicitly limited to funding until federal appropriations for WIC are restored.

Practical effect

If enacted, the state would temporarily assume financial responsibility for continuing WIC benefits during a federal shutdown, preventing interruptions in nutrition assistance for eligible participants. The measure places an indeterminate but potentially material short-term cost on the state general fund, dependent on the duration of the federal funding lapse and program utilization.

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

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