SB 615-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/12/2026 1045s
2026 SESSION
26-2274
05/08
SENATE BILL 615-FN
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire.
SPONSORS: Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Rep. Rice, Hills. 38; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Farrington, Straf. 8; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44; Rep. McLean, Hills. 15
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
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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.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/12/2026 1045s 26-2274
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Commission to Study the Use and Regulation of SNAP Established. Amend RSA 161 by inserting after section 14 the following new section:
161:15 Commission to Study the Use and Regulation of SNAP Established.
I. There is established a commission to study the use and regulation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in New Hampshire.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, II(c), the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, where at least one member is a member of the senate health and human services committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, where at least one member is a member of the house health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) Two people who are currently receiving SNAP benefits, appointed by the governor.
(d) A representative of a family resource center, appointed by Family Support NH.
(e) Two representatives of the department of health and human services, appointed by the commissioner.
(f) The governor, or designee.
(g) A representative from the beverage industry, appointed by the president of the senate.
(h) A representative from the grocers' industry, appointed by the president of the senate.
(i) A representative from convenience store industry, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(j) A representative from the New Hampshire Food Bank, appointed by that organization.
(k) A representative from the Double Up Food Bucks program, appointed by that program.
(l) A representative of New Futures, appointed by that organization.
(m) A representative of the Business and Industry Association, appointed by the association.
(n) A representative of the New Hampshire Farmers' Market Association, appointed by the association.
(o) A representative from New Hampshire Hunger Solutions, appointed by that organization.
(p) A representative of NH Legal Assistance, appointed by that organization.
(q) A representative from the New Hampshire Medical Association, appointed by that organization.
(r) One representative from a New Hampshire school, appointed by the NH School Administrator’s Association or the New Hampshire School Boards Association.
III. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Research the practicality and feasibility of changing SNAP, including potential consequences from the federal government.
(b) Study how to prioritize SNAP dollars going to healthy food, including the feasibility of healthy eating educational campaigns.
(c) Study the economic impacts of snap changes to various industries, including costs to grocery stores, liquor stores, New Hampshire food banks, and convenience stores.
(d) Work with the department of health and human services to examine the prevalence of fraud, waste, and abuse within the SNAP program in New Hampshire, and determine what the department would require to identify fraud, waste, and abuse in the SNAP program.
(e) Study the impact of a waiver on New Hampshire retailers considering:
(1) The cost of compliance with a waiver to individual retailers and the state;
(2) The potential impact on retailers and state tax revenues due to decreased cross border sales and economic activity; and
(3) The impact to New Hampshire residents of rural areas and cities should the proposed waiver limit the ability of retailers to accept SNAP payments.
V. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall submit an interim report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026. The commission shall submit a final report on or before November 1, 2027.
2 Repeal. RSA 161:15, relative to the commission to study SNAP, is repealed.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
26-2274
03/16/2026
SB 615-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1045s)
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant states this bill has no fiscal impact on state, county
and local expenditures or revenue.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
None
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | 2026-1045s |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 14, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| March 26, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 8, 2026 | House | Hearing |
April 1, 2026: Public Hearing: 04/08/2026 01:30 pm GP 158
March 27, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 9
March 23, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 19, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 03/26/2026; Vote 7-0; CC; SC 11
March 10, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1045s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 6, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1045s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 4, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1045s, 03/12/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 9
Dec. 15, 2025: Hearing: 01/14/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:45 pm; SC 47
Nov. 25, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1