# 119-s-3949: Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

119-s-3949, Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (D-OR); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-15).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3949
- As of: 2026-07-15
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-3949
- Congress: 119
- Title: Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-02-26
- Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (D-OR)
- Cosponsors: 11
- Policy area: Agriculture and Food
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-07-15

## Summary

**Strong cybersecurity for SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.** This bill would set federal rules for card and online transaction security, push a switch to chip-enabled cards and terminals, and require fast replacement and public reporting to curb benefit theft. - Families and households: States would have to deliver replacement EBT cards by mail or in person within 3 business days after a request. States could not charge replacement fees for card malfunctions, reported external fraud, expiration, or required security upgrades starting 60 days after enactment. - States and retailers: The Agriculture Secretary would issue cybersecurity and digital-access regulations within 2 years and review them every 5 years. SNAP-authorized retailers would need a chip-enabled payment terminal at each location within 180 days after those regulations are final. States must also follow federal PIN and password standards starting 60 days after enactment. - Funding and oversight: The bill would allow the Secretary to reimburse states and award grants to cover chip-enabled card upgrades, terminal upgrades, vendor fees, and delivery costs. It would also require public and committee reports on benefit theft, online-transaction security, and a focused report on EBT card cloning risks in Puerto Rico.

## Cosponsors (11)

- Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA] (D-PA), 2026-02-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (R-LA), 2026-02-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL] (R-AL), 2026-03-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA] (R-PA), 2026-03-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (D-NY), 2026-03-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV] (R-WV), 2026-04-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2026-04-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC] (R-SC), 2026-04-27T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2026-06-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI] (D-MI), 2026-07-13T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Easier EBT access and replacements: benefit, medium. If enacted, you would get more ways to manage your EBT account. States would have to offer mobile-friendly web portals, apps, text messages, voice phone service, and a non-digital option, and interfaces would have to be available at least 99% of the time. You could opt in to electronic transaction…
- New EBT chip rules and reporting: mixed, medium. If enacted, the USDA would write cybersecurity and digital-service rules for EBT and mobile access within 2 years and review them at least every 5 years. States would have to move to chip-enabled EBT cards on a schedule: start issuing chip cards within 2 years after the rules are final, stop issuin…
- Chip terminal rules and store grants: mixed, medium. If enacted, any retail food store or wholesale food concern seeking SNAP authorization or reauthorization would need a chip-enabled payment terminal at each location starting within 180 days after the USDA issues final cybersecurity rules. The USDA would run a grant program that gives funds to admi…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-1032: Major Richard Star Act
- 119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former United States Senator for the State of Kansas.
- 119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewellyn Kyl, former Senator for the State of Arizona.
- 119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham, a Senator from the State of South Carolina.
- 119-sres-755: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for the State of Michigan.

## Sources
- [119-s-3949 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3949)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-1032: Major Richard Star Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1032)
- [119-sres-913: A resolution relating to the death of the Honorable Nancy Kassebaum, former Uni…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-913)
- [119-sres-897: A resolution honoring the life, service, and legacy of the Honorable Jon Llewel…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-897)
- [119-sres-801: A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Lindsey Olin Graham,…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-801)
- [119-sres-755: A resolution honoring the life of the Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former S…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-755)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3949 (as of 2026-07-15).