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Committee OKs continuing SNAP state outreach plan to boost enrollment and federal match
Summary
House Bill 77 would require the Health Care Authority to submit an annual SNAP outreach plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and seek federal matching funds for state or nonprofit outreach. The committee approved the bill after advocates described measurable increases in SNAP enrollment tied to outreach.
House Bill 77, requiring the Health Care Authority to submit an annual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and pursue federal matching funds, won committee approval on a largely unanimous vote.
Shanae Satriana of the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and Jason Riggs of Roadrunner Food Bank told the committee that SNAP outreach is a cost-effective way to reduce hunger and bring federal dollars into local economies. Roadrunner staff described a program that helped hundreds of households complete applications and estimated the resulting benefits translated into hundreds of thousands of meals and more than $1 million in benefit dollars spent locally.
Advocates said targeted outreach reduces common barriers to SNAP enrollment — limited internet access, language, mobility and transport — and increases participation among eligible older adults and families with children. Roadrunner and partner food banks said they have used federal matching funds to hire bilingual staff and run a statewide call center to help applicants.
Representative Kates moved for a due pass; the motion was seconded and the committee recorded affirmative votes and advanced the bill. Witnesses from food banks, faith-based groups, AARP and county food pantries testified in support; no opposition was recorded.
The bill does not require the Health Care Authority to expand services if funding is not available; it requires submission of a plan and enables the agency to seek federal matching funds for community outreach.
