Bill > HB947

This bill, known as the Georgia SNAP Integrity Act of 2026, aims to strengthen oversight and prevent fraud within Georgia's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. Key provisions include restricting "categorical eligibility," a federal option that allows states to grant SNAP benefits to households receiving other forms of public assistance without a full asset test, and setting stricter limits on gross income and allowable financial resource standards, aligning them more closely with federal guidelines unless federal law mandates otherwise. The bill also mandates that all eligibility criteria for SNAP applicants must be verified within 30 days of application, with benefits for a second month withheld if verification is incomplete, and requires the state to implement automated data-matching procedures to identify changes in recipients' circumstances that might affect their eligibility, such as changes in employment or income. Furthermore, it restricts the state's ability to waive work requirements for SNAP recipients without specific legislative authorization and clarifies that SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase prepared foods or beverages from food service establishments or customized beverages prepared on-site. The bill also includes provisions for reporting on the implementation of these changes and establishes that the enforcement of certain SNAP regulations remains under the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72145