Overview
Title
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a new tax credit and grant program to stimulate investment and healthy nutrition options in food deserts, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to help people get healthy food in places where it's hard to find by giving special help to start or fix grocery stores and places that give out food. It's like giving a prize to those who want to make sure everyone can eat better foods!
Summary AI
The bill S. 1176, titled the “Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act,” aims to promote investment in and availability of nutritious food options in food deserts. It proposes amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a tax credit and grant program. This program would support the establishment and renovation of grocery stores, food banks, and temporary food merchants in underserved areas. The bill also calls for annual updates to the Food Access Research Atlas to better track food availability in these regions.
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AnalysisAI
The Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act aims to tackle the critical issue of food deserts by amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. By establishing a tax credit and grant program, this bill targets special access food providers like grocery stores and food banks to encourage their presence in underserved areas. By doing so, the legislation seeks to enhance nutritional options and stimulate investment in regions that lack easy access to healthy foods.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill proposes significant financial incentives to encourage the establishment and operation of grocery stores and food banks in food deserts—areas where people have limited access to affordable and nutritious food. Using tax credits and grants, the initiative aims to support the construction and renovation of necessary facilities. To be eligible for these benefits, entities must be certified as special access food providers. Moreover, the bill stipulates that food deserts be identified primarily through population census tracts, focusing on distance to grocery stores and poverty levels.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the core issues with this bill arises from its reliance on census data to define food deserts. This approach may not accurately reflect current conditions, possibly leading to inefficient allocation of resources. Additionally, the bill does not set a cap on the total amount spent on credits and grants, raising concerns about financial sustainability.
Concerns also exist about the discretionary power given to the Secretary of Agriculture and other officials to determine eligibility for these benefits. This latitude could lead to potential favoritism or unequal treatment of applicants. Furthermore, the bill’s language includes complex legal jargon that may hinder small or independent businesses from taking full advantage of available programs.
Another critical point is the lack of a specific timeline for updates to the Food Access Research Atlas, introducing potential ambiguities and accountability issues in measuring program effectiveness. Additionally, the ambiguity surrounding the definition of terms like "temporary access merchant" might result in inconsistent application and confusion among potential participants.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the bill aims to have a positive impact by improving access to nutritious food for individuals living in food deserts. This could lead to better health outcomes and economic benefits, as individuals spend less time and money accessing healthy foods, which they might otherwise find financially or geographically out of reach.
Nevertheless, the lack of a precise definition and reliance on outdated census data might limit its effectiveness. If the targeting of resources isn’t correctly aligned with current needs, communities that are on the margins of eligibility may miss out on these benefits, perpetuating cycles of food insecurity.
Impact on Stakeholders
Specific stakeholders such as grocery store owners, food bank operators, and non-profits working in food security could benefit significantly through the financial incentives outlined in the bill. These entities might find new business opportunities in establishing themselves within these designated zones. However, smaller entities might struggle with the complex application processes and eligibility criteria.
Local governments and community organizations operating within food deserts may experience a bolstering of resources and partnerships, potentially leading to enhanced community development and economic revitalization. This legislation could also create jobs in the process of constructing and running these facilities, providing additional economic incentives.
Conversely, the lack of clarity around logistical aspects such as the definition of “adequate food distribution” may lead to implementation challenges. Without clear guidelines, there could be inconsistencies in how the benefits are distributed and experienced across different regions.
In conclusion, while the intention and framework of the Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act present promising opportunities to rectify food access issues, several key details related to its execution and definitions require careful consideration and refinement. Addressing these issues would ensure that the legislation effectively reaches its target areas and truly benefits the intended populations.
Issues
The reliance on census tracts to determine food deserts (Section 2 & 45BB) may not reflect the most current conditions, potentially impacting the allocation of resources and the effectiveness of the bill in addressing food insecurity.
The lack of a cap on the allocation of credits and grants in Section 45BB raises concerns about potential excessive spending without clear budgetary constraints, which could have significant financial implications.
The discretionary power given to the Secretary and Secretary of Agriculture (Sections 2 & 45BB) in determining certification and allocations might lead to potential favoritism or unequal application across applicants, leading to ethical concerns.
The provisions in Section 3 do not specify a deadline within the year for updates to the Food Access Research Atlas, leading to potential ambiguity and accountability issues in implementation and measurement of program effectiveness.
Complex language in Section 45BB may hinder small or independent entities from understanding their eligibility or requirements, potentially excluding these groups from participating effectively in the program.
Ambiguity around the definition of 'temporary access merchant' in Section 45BB could lead to inconsistent application or understanding of eligibility for credits and grants.
The absence of a specific process for appeals or dispute resolution in Section 45BB for denied certifications or allocations could result in legal challenges and administrative burdens.
The unclear criteria for 'adequate level of food distribution within food deserts' (Section 45BB) creates the possibility for inconsistent application, potentially limiting the program's impact on food access in target areas.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section gives the short title of the legislation, allowing it to be referred to as the “Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act.”
2. Tax credit and grant program for Special Access Food Providers Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes a tax credit and grant program for special access food providers, such as grocery stores and food banks, to encourage the availability of food in areas known as food deserts. It allows these providers to receive financial incentives, under certain conditions, for building or renovating facilities and defines various terms related to the program, like “food desert” and “temporary access merchant.”
45BB. Special Access Food Provider Credit and Grant Program Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text outlines a program establishing tax credits and grants for grocery stores and food banks in areas lacking access to nutritious food, known as food deserts. It provides details on how stores and banks can become certified as special access food providers, the criteria for receiving financial support, and guidelines for maintaining compliance, with funding intended to improve local food availability and reduce food insecurity in underserved communities.
3. Updates to Food Access Research Atlas Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to update the Food Access Research Atlas at least once a year to include new food retailers that opened that year.