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HB 1797 · 2026 · House · Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee

Tightening SNAP eligibility and work rules

AI-generated

relative to eligibility for public assistance, including the New Hampshire employment program, family assistance program, and SNAP.

Strengthens SNAP work requirements, bars the department of health and human services from adopting eligibility standards more lenient than federal law, and requires the department to establish data-sharing agreements with multiple agencies to verify recipient eligibility.AI-generated

Status

Referred to interim study (Senate) · May 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Directs the department of health and human services to submit a waiver to the United States Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with SNAP benefits. II. Strengthens work requirements for SNAP eligibility. III. Directs the department of health and human services to enter into data-sharing agreements with other state agencies to verify SNAP benefit eligibility. IV. Directs the department to verify eligibility of enrollees that make exclusively out-of-state purchases. V. Prohibits the department from using their discretion to set more lenient standards for SNAP eligibility or exemptions than those outlined in federal law.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim KofaltRPrime

Public testimony

345 signed in online · 56 wrote testimony

3% support97% oppose0% neutral

ForSNAP should not fund candy and soda purchases

AgainstAdds bureaucracy/cuts eligibility, causing people to lose food access

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support HB 1797, particularly thee part that prohibits SNAP funds from being spent on candy and soda for children, SNAP should provide funds for healthy, nutritious foods only. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.”
— Amanda Bradford, Gorhamsupports
“This is a punitive bill and I request that you determine it is Inexpedient to Legislate (ILT).”
— Terry Sturke, Bowopposes
“I am a psychotherapist in private practice but see people on Medicare and Medicaid. Starving people who need SNAP benefits is cruel and unusual punishment by a State (and Federal) government and does not serve the interests of anyone.…”
— Lisa Friedlander, Leeopposes
“There are many things that concern me about this bill. The limitations on what one can purchase, the limitations on the department to seek waivers and discrepancies that are fully allowable per federal regulations, the revocation of Broad Based Categorical Eligibility, and the additional administrative burden for other items in this bills are unsustainable.…”
— Jessica Spillers, Manchesteropposes
“I support them referencing systems to ensure compliance but I don’t believe the current case workers have time to do this monthly. I also strongly object to the state sending our information out.…”
— Margaret Konze, Pembrokeneutral

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-02-259:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearingrescheduled
  • 2026-03-049:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-04-089:00 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1 P. 36
  2. Feb 25, 2026House==CANCELLED== Public Hearing: 02/25/2026 10:30 am GP 158
  3. Feb 25, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 02/25/2026 01:00 pm GP 158
  4. Mar 4, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/04/2026 09:00 am GP 158
  5. Mar 4, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1027h 03/04/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 10 P. 54
  6. Mar 4, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  7. Mar 11, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1027h: AA VV 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 210
  8. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1027h: MA RC 172-161 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 210
  9. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 7
  10. Apr 8, 2026SenHearing: 04/08/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:15 am; SC 13
  11. May 7, 2026Sen: Referred to Interim Study, 05/07/2026; Vote 3-1; CC; SC 17
  12. May 7, 2026SenRefer to Interim Study, MA, VV; 05/07/2026; SJ 11

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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