S.1176 - Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1176, the "Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act," aims to address food deserts by incentivizing investment in healthy food options through tax credits and grants. It amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a new tax credit and grant program for special access food providers, including grocery stores, food banks, and temporary access merchants operating in food deserts. The bill also mandates updates to the Food Access Research Atlas to reflect new food retailers.
Expected Effects
The bill is likely to increase the availability of fresh and healthy food in underserved communities by providing financial incentives for businesses and organizations to establish or improve food retail locations in these areas. This could lead to improved public health outcomes and increased economic activity in food deserts. The updates to the Food Access Research Atlas will provide more accurate data for identifying and addressing food insecurity.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to healthy food options in food deserts.
- Stimulation of local economies through investment in grocery stores and food banks.
- Support for farmers markets and mobile food vendors in underserved areas.
- Potential for improved public health outcomes due to better nutrition.
- Creation of jobs in the food retail and distribution sectors.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for fraud or abuse in the certification and allocation processes.
- Administrative costs associated with implementing and overseeing the tax credit and grant program.
- Possible unintended consequences, such as driving existing businesses out of food deserts.
- The effectiveness of the program may be limited by factors beyond access, such as affordability and consumer preferences.
- The bill relies on the definition of 'food desert' which may not accurately reflect the nuances of food access challenges in all communities.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the Constitution is primarily based on the "general Welfare" clause (Article I, Section 8), which allows Congress to enact laws that promote the well-being of the population. The use of tax credits and grants falls under Congress's power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
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).