Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
Sponsored By: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Introduced
Summary
This bill would move Puerto Rico out of its current block-grant model and into full participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as if it were a State. It also creates a structured transition of up to five years and sets up a combined block grant for Puerto Rico and American Samoa to manage funding during and after that shift.
Show full summary
- Families in Puerto Rico would be treated more like households in the states for SNAP eligibility and benefits, including inclusion in the thrifty food plan cost-adjustment framework used for Hawaii and Alaska. The bill allows a transition period of up to 5 years to phase in the change.
- Puerto Rico and the Department of Agriculture would follow a clear timetable for approval. Puerto Rico must submit a plan of operation within 180 days, the Department would have 180 days to approve or report deficiencies, and then certify eligibility within 90 days of approval.
- American Samoa would be folded into a consolidated block grant with Puerto Rico. After the transition, the allocation mechanics shift to a 0.4 percent allocation rule and require that 100 percent of the grant funds for American Samoa support its expanded nutrition program.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Transition to SNAP for Puerto Rico
If enacted, Puerto Rico would be added to several SNAP rules and the thrifty food plan would be adjusted for Puerto Rico's local food costs. Those statutory changes would not take effect until 10 years after enactment. After Puerto Rico names an agency, it would have 180 days to submit a plan to join SNAP. The Agriculture Secretary would have to provide technical help if asked and approve the plan within 180 days or list unmet requirements within 30 days. If approved, the Secretary would certify to Congress within 90 days. The Secretary could let Puerto Rico keep its current consolidated block grant during a transition that can last up to five years after the amendments take effect while reporting each year on funding needed to finish the switch. Congress could appropriate such sums as may be necessary to carry out the transition until the end of that period.
Payments for Puerto Rico and American Samoa
If enacted, some territory payments would be tied to the end of Puerto Rico's transition period. For each fiscal year after that transition, the bill would set an annual payment equal to 0.4 percent of a specified aggregate amount, adjusted by changes in the thrifty food plan and subject to annual appropriations. The bill would require that 100 percent of funds made available for American Samoa be used to pay American Samoa's nutrition program costs under the existing law.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kirsten Gillibrand
NY • D
Cosponsors
John Fetterman
PA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Charles Schumer
NY • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Christopher Murphy
CT • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Timothy Kaine
VA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Cory Booker
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Edward Markey
MA • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Bernie Sanders
VT • I
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 3/23/2026
Martin Heinrich
NM • D
Sponsored 4/13/2026
Adam Schiff
CA • D
Sponsored 4/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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