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Bill

HR 9980

To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require a school food authority to make publicly available any waiver of the Buy American requirement, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by John Garamendi

The bill requires public disclosure of any Buy American waivers in school meal programs to increase transparency about sourcing.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9980

Summary of HR 9980 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

HR 9980 seeks to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to increase transparency around “Buy American” waivers within school meal programs. Specifically, the bill would require a school food authority (SFA) to publicly disclose any waiver of the Buy American requirements. The overarching goal appears to be ensuring greater public visibility into when and why waivers are granted, thereby informing stakeholders (parents, students, and the general public) about the sourcing of foods provided through federal school meal programs.

Key provisions and changes

  • Public disclosure of Buy American waivers: The bill mandates that any waiver of the Buy American requirement, granted by a school food authority under the National School Lunch Act, must be publicly available. The exact format, repository, and timing (e.g., posting within a specified number of days) would be determined by the implementing regulations or the bill’s text.
  • Scope of disclosure: The requirement applies to waivers under the Buy American provision as it relates to foods provided through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and related school meal programs overseen by SFAs.
  • Public availability: The term “publicly available” suggests posting on a publicly accessible platform, such as the SFA’s official website or a centralized federal/state portal, to ensure broad accessibility.

Who is affected

  • Primary entities: School Food Authorities (SFAs) that administer federal school meal programs under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
  • Beneficiaries and stakeholders: Students and families served by NSLP and related programs, school districts, school food service staff, and taxpayers interested in procurement practices and compliance with Buy American requirements.
  • Oversight and compliance: State agencies that oversee SFAs may need to align their reporting and posting practices with the new disclosure requirement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative action: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce (as of the action history). Co-sponsor noted: John Garamendi.
  • Implementation timeline: The text provided does not specify effective dates or transition timelines. If enacted, the bill would typically include a effective date and potential phased compliance, along with regulatory guidance describing posting methods and data elements.
  • Regulatory follow-through: Implementing regulations would likely define what constitutes a Buy American waiver (including the specific statutory criteria), the required publicly accessible location, data fields (e.g., date of waiver, rationale, items affected, duration), and any exemptions or recordkeeping standards.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Transparency and accountability: Increased public visibility into waiver decisions could influence procurement practices, supplier relationships, and stakeholder trust.
  • Administrative burden: SFAs might face additional reporting and posting requirements. The bill’s details would determine whether the burden is modest or substantial.
  • Procurement implications: Public disclosure may affect vendor competition and the ability of SFAs to source certain foods when waivers are granted.
  • Equity and access: By highlighting waiver usage, communities with frequent waivers could prompt policy discussion regarding local sourcing and supply chain constraints.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated objective and the information available in the provided text. The full legislative text would provide precise definitions, posting standards, enforcement mechanisms, and any additional provisions that detail timelines, penalties, or exceptions.

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

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