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HB 1773 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Restricting soda and candy from SNAP

AI-generated

relative to food and drink purchased under SNAP, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

Directs the department of health and human services to seek a federal waiver excluding sweetened drinks and candy from SNAP-eligible foods, and requires retailer notification, an education program, and annual progress reports if approved.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 11, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill directs the department of health and human services to submit a waiver to the United States Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy under SNAP.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as amended by the House. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“On or before January 1, 2027, the department of health and human services shall submit a demonstration project waiver under 7 U.S.C. 2026(b) to the U.S.”
RSA 167:17-e
“Upon federal approval of the waiver, the commissioner of the department of health and human services shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, to implement the provisions of this section.”
RSA 167:17-e
“Retailers participating in SNAP shall be notified of the new restrictions and provided technical assistance to update point-of-sale systems.”
RSA 167:17-e
“Beginning November 1, 2026, the commissioner shall submit an annual report to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives relative to:”
RSA 167:17-e

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Lisa FreemanRPrimeAssistant Majority Whip
  • Rep. Juliet Harvey-BoliaRDeputy Majority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Jennifer MandelbaumDClerk· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRVice Chair· Health and Human Services

Also: Rep. Riché ColcombeR, Rep. Jess EdwardsR, Rep. Bryan MorseR, Rep. Lilli WalshR, Rep. Michael HarringtonR

Public testimony

360 signed in online · 50 wrote testimony

4% support96% oppose0% neutral

ForCommon-sense measure to ensure SNAP funds nutrition

AgainstRestricts dignity, autonomy, and choice of low-income residents

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This is just common sense to ensure that SNAP dollars are being used for nutrition, and not just empty calories”
— CORY STONE, Doversupports
“I grew up in a low income family. My family received SNAP benefits. I recall often seeing my mom buy snacks, soda, sweets, junk food etc while our primary dinners were spaghetti and ramen noodles.…”
— Renee Tavarez, SOMERSWORTHsupports
“Please vote ITL. Ms Liot Hill has already been cleared of any wrong doing by the NH Attorney General.”
— Steve Bravo, BRADFORD · MyselfHB1773opposes
“This is a punitive bill and I request that you determine it is Inexpedient to Legislate (ILT).”
— Terry Sturke, Bowopposes
“There are several things about this bill that concern me. First, it dehumanizes people who are already going through challenging times by dictating what they can/cannot buy with their general SNAP benefits.…”
— Jessica Spillers, Manchesteropposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 4, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1019h10–8
    Overall
    56% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2026-1019hadopted
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1019hFailed161–173How they voted
    Overall
    48% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    154–2487% yea
    Democrats
    7–1494% yea
  • Mar 11, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Feb 24, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs1:43:35–1:50:537m 18slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 4, 2026Public hearingHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs1:12:50–1:13:591m 9slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1019h — roll call; Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
  • Mar 11, 2026Floor debateHouse floor10:18:07–10:23:545m 47slocated in the stream transcriptOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1019h — failed, roll call 161-173; Inexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1019h — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 35
  2. Feb 25, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/25/2026 09:30 am GP 158
  3. Feb 24, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/24/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  4. Mar 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1019h 03/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 53
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1019h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 207
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1019h: MF RC 161-173 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 208
  9. Mar 11, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 210

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.