Feeding Rural Families Act of 2025
Summary
The "Feeding Rural Families Act of 2025" proposes an amendment to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, specifically targeting the application of the thrifty food plan in Hawaii. The bill aims to modify Section 3(u)(2) to explicitly include both urban and rural parts of the state in the food plan's considerations. This adjustment seeks to ensure that the unique needs of both urban and rural communities in Hawaii are addressed within the food assistance program.
The proposed change involves inserting "urban and rural parts of" before "Hawaii" in two instances within the specified section of the Food and Nutrition Act. This minor modification could have implications for how food assistance is distributed and tailored to different regions within the state.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Ms. Tokuda and Mr. Case and has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture for further review and consideration.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be a more nuanced application of the thrifty food plan in Hawaii. This means that food assistance programs could be better tailored to address the specific needs and costs of living in both urban and rural areas of the state.
This could lead to adjustments in benefit levels or eligibility criteria to better reflect the realities of food access and affordability in different regions. The amendment aims to ensure that the food plan adequately supports families in both urban and rural settings.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Food Access: Tailoring the thrifty food plan to urban and rural areas could improve access to nutritious food for families in need.
- Targeted Assistance: The amendment allows for more targeted assistance based on the specific cost of living and food availability in different regions of Hawaii.
- Support for Rural Communities: By explicitly including rural areas, the bill acknowledges and addresses the unique challenges faced by families in these communities.
- Enhanced Program Effectiveness: Adjusting the food plan to reflect local conditions could enhance the overall effectiveness of the food assistance program.
- Potential for Increased Benefit Adequacy: The changes could lead to more adequate benefit levels, ensuring families can afford a healthy diet.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Increased Administrative Complexity: Implementing different standards for urban and rural areas could increase the administrative burden and complexity of the program.
- Risk of Disparities: If not carefully implemented, the changes could inadvertently create disparities in benefit levels between urban and rural areas.
- Limited Scope: The bill only addresses the situation in Hawaii, potentially overlooking similar needs in other states with diverse urban and rural landscapes.
- Uncertainty in Impact: The actual impact of the amendment will depend on how it is interpreted and implemented by the relevant agencies.
- Possible unintended consequences: Changes to the food plan could have unforeseen effects on local food markets and supply chains.
Constitutional Alignment
The "Feeding Rural Families Act of 2025" appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble). This clause allows Congress to enact laws that "promote the general Welfare" of the United States, which includes ensuring access to adequate nutrition for families in need.
The bill also falls under the powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8, which allows them to regulate commerce and provide for the general welfare. There are no apparent conflicts with individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, so the federal government must be careful not to unduly infringe on state sovereignty when implementing such programs.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).