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119-hr-7658119th CongressWALLET

Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

In Committee

Summary

Enhanced Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cybersecurity and modernization would create a federal cybersecurity and digital‑service framework for EBT cards and mobile EBT. It would phase in chip‑enabled (EMV‑style) cards on a set timeline, require searchable transaction history and opt‑in notices, reimburse state upgrade costs, and fund retailer terminal upgrades to support chip and contactless payments.

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  • Families and households would get opt‑in transaction alerts and searchable access to at least 12 months of transaction history. They could report suspected fraud through every required interface and check enrollment and recertification status.
  • State agencies would face a staged chip rollout with rulemaking within 2 years, a ban on new magnetic‑stripe card issuance after 4 years, and a 5‑year reissuance deadline. The bill would require the federal government to reimburse reasonable state upgrade costs.
  • Small retailers in low‑access areas could receive grants to upgrade terminals to chip and contactless capability so they can accept modern EBT cards.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Stronger cybersecurity rules and reports

If enacted, the Secretary would write cybersecurity and digital service rules for EBT and mobile technology within 2 years and review them at least every 5 years. The Secretary would require online security measures and standard State reporting on online theft. The Secretary would report on online theft trends within 3 years and every 2 years after. USDA would publish a biannual public report on benefit theft and EBT usability within 1 year and every 2 years after. The Secretary would also send a report on EBT cloning risks in Puerto Rico within 1 year. Reports may include restricted annexes with sensitive merchant or law-enforcement details.

Better EBT apps, APIs, and PIN rules

If enacted, States would have to run mobile-friendly web portals and apps that meet Secretary standards and work at least 99% of the time. Interfaces would show at least 12 months of searchable transactions with amount, merchant, city and State (for in-person) and delivery or collection address (for online). A free API would let you delegate account access to third-party apps. You could opt in to electronic transaction notices and report fraud through each interface. Starting 60 days after enactment, States could not require PIN or password rules that conflict with NIST standards.

Grants to upgrade retailer terminals

If enacted, the Secretary would create a grant program. An administering entity would give subgrants to eligible SNAP retailers without chip-enabled terminals in limited grocery access areas. Subgrants would pay to upgrade terminals to accept contact and contactless chip EBT payments. The law would not set a total funding amount in the text.

Chip EBT cards and replacements

If enacted, States would have to start issuing chip-enabled EBT cards within 2 years after final federal rules. States could not issue new magnetic-stripe cards after 4 years and would have to replace existing magnetic-stripe cards within 5 years. Reissued chip cards would be mailed unless fraud is suspected, and old cards would stop working when the new card is activated or 60 days after mailing. Retail stores seeking SNAP authorization would need chip-capable terminals within 180 days after the rules. The Secretary would reimburse States for reasonable upgrade costs. States would have to provide a replacement card within 3 business days for damage, theft, malfunction, or fraud, and beginning 60 days after enactment States could not charge replacement fees in those listed situations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 2/24/2026

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/2/2026

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 5/21/2026

  • Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 7/16/2026

  • Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 7/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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