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House passes bill to update bridge‑card security and target SNAP fraud; 77‑28
Summary
House Bill 4746, described by its sponsor as a measure to reduce fraud in the SNAP/benefits system by modernizing Bridge Card technology and addressing error rates, passed the Michigan House 77‑28 with immediate effect ordered.
Representative Wolford addressed the House in support of House Bill 4746, saying the bill is intended to protect families and taxpayers by addressing fraud in the state’s electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system (Bridge Cards).
Wolford said Michigan still uses magnetic‑strip Bridge Cards that are “easy to hack” and that switching to chip technology would reduce fraud and protect benefits for eligible families. He cited industry data in broad terms — saying chip adoption reduced fraud dramatically for payment cards — and argued the bill would help curb fraud and reduce error rates he said cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars.
On final passage the clerk announced 77 aye votes and 28 nay votes. A majority of members having voted in favor, the bill passed and the majority floor leader moved for immediate effect; the House ordered immediate effect.
On the floor, Wolford emphasized both fraud and the “error rate” as concerns; he described the measure as focused primarily on fraud prevention and said it would “help” address error rates and allow case workers to focus on serving families rather than chasing fraud. The transcript does not include the bill text, fiscal note, or technical implementation details discussed at committee, nor does it include a line‑by‑line analysis of the measure.
