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SB 603 · 2026 · Senate · Finance Committee

State backfill for SNAP funding

AI-generated

relative to the funding of the SNAP program by the department of health and human services.

Directs the department of health and human services to transfer funds as necessary to compensate for any reduction in federal SNAP funding received by the state.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · May 7, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✕House
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill directs the department of health and human services to transfer funds as necessary to compensate for any reduction in federal funds received by the state for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

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

“Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, the department of health and human services shall transfer funds within and among accounting units as necessary to address any budget reduction for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) incurred by the state as a result of a reduction in federal funding.”
Section 1
“Any transfer of $100,000 or more shall require prior approval of the fiscal committee of the general court and the governor and council.”
Section 1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Daryl AbbasRPrimePresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Kevin AvardRDeputy Majority Whip

Public testimony

75 signed in online · 10 wrote testimony

99% support1% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“This bill directs the department of health and human services to transfer funds as necessary to compensate for any reduction in federal funds received by the state for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. I am in support of this bill.…”
— Germano Martins, Hooksettsupports
“New Hampshire is a wealthy state, but no amount of charity in this state can replace SNAP. Not only does SNAP provide 9 meals for every one that the NH charitable system provides, it is impossible for the 420 agencies in the states to replace SNAP's 154 million dollar capacity.…”
— June Lemen, Nashuasupports
“This bill is essential for providing food security to low-income households.”
— Carolyn Gordon, Hanoversupports
“A state should not be held fiscally accountable to a federally funded program”
— Cory Stone, DOVERopposes

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 5, 2026SenateCommittee reportCommittee report: Ought to Pass8–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 27, 2026HouseCommittee report· regular calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate13–11
    Overall
    54% yea
  • May 7, 2026HouseRoll callInexpedient to LegislateAdopted186–158How they voted
    Overall
    54% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    186–597% yea
    Democrats
    0–1530% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 20, 2026Public hearingSenate Finance37:26–38:481m 22slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 13, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance42:00–43:361m 36slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Apr 20, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance - Division III1:22:57–1:35:0012m 3slocated in the stream transcript
  • Apr 27, 2026Public hearingHouse Finance30:12–38:498m 37slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate — roll call; Executive Session
  • May 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor1:24:57–1:30:115m 14slocated in the stream transcriptInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, roll call 186-158

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

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Finance; SJ 1
  2. Jan 20, 2026SenHearing: 01/20/2026, Room 103, SH, 01:30 pm; SC 1
  3. Mar 5, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/05/2026; Vote 8-0; CC; SC 8
  4. Mar 5, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/05/2026; SJ 5
  5. Mar 12, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/12/2026 and referred to Finance HJ 8 P. 114
  6. Apr 13, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/13/2026 10:30 am GP 230
  7. Apr 27, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/27/2026 01:00 pm GP 230
  8. Apr 27, 2026HouseMajority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate 04/27/2026 (Vote 13-11; RC) HC 18 P. 12
  9. Apr 30, 2026HouseMinority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1515h
  10. May 7, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA RC 186-158 05/07/2026 HJ 12 P. 26

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

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