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House committee advances bill requiring periodic review of SNAP distribution schedule
Summary
The Human Services Committee voted to report House Bill 749, which would require the Department of Human Services to periodically review Pennsylvania’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program distribution schedule and share evaluations with the committee.
Representative Madsen introduced House Bill 749, which would require the Department of Human Services to periodically review and assess the state’s SNAP distribution schedule to ensure it meets the needs of recipients and retailers.
The measure, which amends Act 21 of 1967 (the Human Services Code) as it relates to public assistance, passed out of the Human Services Committee with no negative votes. Representative Serrato seconded consideration of the bill.
"This legislation aims to evaluate and improve the distribution of SNAP benefits in Pennsylvania. Unlike many other states that have streamlined their schedules, Pennsylvania continues to operate under varying distribution schedules, creating logistical challenges for both recipients and retailers," Representative Madsen said.
Representative Heffley told the committee he supported the bill and welcomed the sponsor’s offer to work on a floor amendment to provide additional transparency. "I appreciate your willingness to work on an amendment on the floor to just to make sure we have some transparency in that and some oversight," Heffley said.
Representative Kinkade urged colleagues to support the bill, saying federal cuts and low per-person benefit levels make the review urgent. "When we're facing down SNAP being potentially cut $230,000,000,000 at the federal level and the reality that the average SNAP recipient receives $6 a day, we really need to be looking at how it is that we are spending those dollars and how does that we can most effectively address food insecurity in our commonwealth," Kinkade said.
The sponsor said she would work with leadership on a floor amendment to ensure the Human Services Committee receives the department’s evaluations and associated cost analyses if changes to the schedule are recommended. With no further discussion and no negative votes, the committee voted to report the bill out of committee.
The bill now proceeds according to the legislative calendar for further consideration and possible floor action.
