Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2026
Latest action (6 Aug 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 5318 would establish a new federal grant program under which state libraries could receive grants to help fund the continued operation of school libraries during summer months, specifically at schools that already run summer lunch programs. The intent is to let students who are on school grounds for summer meals also have access to library facilities during that period.
The bill would affect state library agencies, which would be eligible to apply for and administer the grants, and by extension the schools and students in summer lunch programs at those schools. Students in these programs would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining access to library resources they might not otherwise have during the summer break.
The bill's full legislative text has not yet been published, so specific details such as funding levels, eligibility criteria, application procedures, or administrative requirements are not yet known.
S. 5318 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on August 6, 2026, by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and its current status is "Introduced." As a next step, it would typically be referred to a Senate committee for review; committee consideration, potential amendment, and further votes would need to occur before the bill could advance toward passage.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2026
This bill establishes a grant program to support summer early reading programs held at schools with a summer lunch site.
Specifically, the Department of Education must use funds provided for the program to award competitive grants to state library administrative agencies to enable them to award subgrants to eligible local educational agencies for summer early reading programs held at schools with a summer lunch site.
The program is open to local educational agencies that include schools where at least 50% of the students in prekindergarten through grade 3 are (1) reading below grade level at grade 3, or (2) at risk of reading below grade level at grade 3.
Common questions
- What does S. 5318 do?
- S. 5318 would establish a new federal grant program under which state libraries could receive grants to help fund the continued operation of school libraries during summer months, specifically at schools that already run summer lunch programs. The intent is to let students who are on school grounds for summer meals also have access to library facilities during that period. The bill would affect state library agencies, which would be eligible to apply for and administer the grants, and by extension the schools and students in summer lunch programs at those schools. Students in these programs would be the primary beneficiaries, gaining access to library resources they might not otherwise have during the summer break. The bill's full legislative text has not yet been published, so specific details such as funding levels, eligibility criteria, application procedures, or administrative requirements are not yet known. S. 5318 was introduced in the U.S. Senate on August 6, 2026, by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and its current status is "Introduced." As a next step, it would typically be referred to a Senate committee for review; committee consideration, potential amendment, and further votes would need to occur before the bill could advance toward passage.
- Has S. 5318 become law?
- Not yet. As of 6 Aug 2026, S. 5318 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5318?
- S. 5318 was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley [D-OR] (Democrat-OR), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5318?
- Introduced (6 Aug 2026).
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