House amends S.310 to direct SNAP restaurant-meals study and add survivor-benefit language; bill passes

Floor consideration of S.310 (natural disaster response, recovery, and resiliency) included two notable amendments. Member from Bridgeport introduced language (a nonimplementation request) asking the Department for Children and Families to report next March on what resources would be needed to implement a restaurant-meals program for certain SNAP recipients (older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness). The member said the report would equip the next biennium with information to decide whether to pursue implementation.

Separately, a provision carried into S.310 addressed survivor benefits for certain public-safety occupations; the member from Lowell described the amendment’s history and noted prior moves that raised a survivor-benefit payment from $50,000 to $80,000 in a budget adjustment act. Committee reporters and sponsors indicated a favorable committee vote on both amendments and explained limited fiscal exposure due to existing fund balances and emergency committee authorities to find funds if necessary.

The House adopted the amendments and passed S.310 in concurrence with the House proposal of amendment by voice vote. The transcript records committee support and favorable votes, and the bill will be messaged to the Senate with the accepted changes.