The Nebraska legislative session wrapped up Friday and senators successfully passed LB966, the Hunger Free Schools Act, which will feed more kids in Nebraska schools! For a five year period starting next year, kids who qualify for reduced-price meals (in families with incomes between 130-185% FPL) will get those meals for free.
A huge thank you to Sen. Michaela Cavanaugh, who introduced and fought for the bill, and Sen. Megan Hunt who prioritized the bill, for advocating for child hunger solutions during their time in the Legislature! Because of their advocacy, more kids across the state will have the food they need!
Other food access bills this session
We saw two other positive food bills introduced this session that did not advance from committee. They will need to be reintroduced to be considered in future sessions:
- ✅ LB734, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt, would have protected Nebraskans’ access to food by reinstating work requirement exemptions for some of our most vulnerable populations enrolled in SNAP including vets, homeless individuals, and former foster youth.
- ✅ LB843, introduced by Senator Victor Rountree, would have protected Nebraskans’ access to food by reversing eligibility changes that prevent refugees, asylees, and other immigrants from participating in SNAP.
We are grateful to the many community members who showed up at hearings to advocate for these bills. Because of their advocacy, our state senators and the public now better understand the impacts of H.R.1 (the One Big Bill) and the damage it is doing in our Nebraska communities.
As more Nebraskans are pushed off of SNAP because of Congress passing H.R.1 last summer, and the cost of living continues to increase, food insecurity will undoubtedly grow for Nebraskans in the future. The passage of LB966 is one helpful step that can lighten some of the financial strain for families across our state.
Thank you for your emails, letters, calls, and testimony getting these bills as far as they got! Stay tuned for more advocacy opportunities outside the session here.