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SB 615 · 2026 · Senate · Health and Human Services Committee

Commission to study SNAP program

AI-generated

(New Title) establishing a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire.

Establishes a commission to study the use and regulation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in New Hampshire.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 24, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Directs the department of health and human services to submit a waiver to the US 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

Sen. Victoria SullivanRPrimeVice Chair· Education
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jeanine NotterRAssistant Majority Leader
  • Rep. Lisa MazurRVice Chair· Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Also: Rep. Samuel FarringtonR, Rep. Mark McLeanR

Public testimony

60 signed in online · 6 wrote testimony

55% support45% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I SUPPORT SB 615, the SNAP BILL to study the SNAP program. know that a hungry child cannot learn which is why I strongly support SB 615. We must ensure our state’s nutrition programs are working effectively to reach the 1 in 7 New Hampshire children facing food insecurity.…”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketsupports
“I work at the Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter and we wrote testimony against the original SB615 bill.…”
— June Lemen, Nashuasupports
“This is an OK idea, but we are putting the cart before the horses. in New Hampshire (and every state), SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy toilet paper or diapers.…”
— Germano Martins, Hooksettopposes
“I am an independent voter. I was opposed to the original iteration of this bill, which I saw as an attempt to deny SNAP benefits to people in our community through the creation of impossible "work requirements" and hard to police limits on what food SNAP recipients are allowed to purchase.…”
— Debora Hatcher, Doveropposes
“Corporate welfare is where you should be looking, wealth discrepancy is off the charts, and you want to worry about these pennies, this is a dog whistle to try to make life more difficult for those we should be supporting, every dollar that goes to the poor and working class goes right back into the economy.…”
— David Holt, Somersworthopposes

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

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-149:00 amSenate Health and Human ServicesSH 100Public hearing
  • 2026-04-089:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing
  • 2026-04-1510:00 amHouse Health, Human Services and Elderly AffairsGP 158Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1
  2. Jan 14, 2026SenHearing: 01/14/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 47
  3. Mar 12, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1045s, 03/12/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 9
  4. Mar 12, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-1045s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  5. Mar 12, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-1045s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
  6. Mar 26, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 11
  7. Mar 26, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
  8. Mar 26, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 9 P. 55
  9. Apr 8, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/08/2026 01:30 pm GP 158
  10. Apr 15, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/15/2026 10:00 am GP 158
  11. Apr 15, 2026HouseMajority : Inexpedient to Legislate 04/15/2026 (Vote 10-8; RC) HC 18 P. 14
  12. Apr 22, 2026HouseMinority : Ought to Pass
  13. May 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MF VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 36
  14. May 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 36
  15. May 21, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2031e: AA VV (in recess of) 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 37
  16. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2031e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  17. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  18. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  19. Jun 19, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 06/19/2026; Chapter 200
  20. Nov 1, 2027SenI. Section 2 Effective 11/01/2027
  21. Jun 19, 2026SenII. Remainder Effective 06/19/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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