United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

HR 1189 — Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2017

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2017 This bill reduces administrative requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), authorizes funding to increase access to SNAP offices, and authorizes grants for community-based nonprofits to expand anti-hunger activities. The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal existing provisions regarding administrative costs and authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay 75% of the administrative costs for state agencies to increase the operating hours of SNAP offices, reduce wait times, accept online applications, upgrade technology, and provide a checklist of required documents. If a state agency believes that information provided by a SNAP applicant is incorrect or incomplete, the agency must notify the applicant in writing and include instructions for providing the required information. Unless the information is not provided in response to the request or it cannot be verified, a state must not require an applicant to appear in person. State agencies must not require fingerprints for any member of a household to participate in SNAP or receive benefits. USDA must report annually to Congress on the comparative progress of states in improving access to SNAP. Beyond the Soup Kitchen Grants Program Act of 2017 The bill establishes a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program to provide grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for programs to reduce hunger, increase the use of nutrition assistance and anti-poverty programs, bolster food security, assist individuals and families to develop assets, promote economic independence, improve nutrition, and reduce obesity.

Bill Text

Sections of law this bill changes

3 sections in 1 law

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Supplemental nutrition assistance program · 7 U.S.C. ch. 51 3 sections
  • § 2020 Administration Amends

    7 U.S.C. § 2020 — at 2020(e)(2)

    The law today

    (a) State responsibility (1) In general The State agency of each participating State shall have responsibility for certifying applicant households and issuing EBT cards. (2) Local administration The responsibility of the agency of the State government shall not be affected by whether the program is operated on a State-administered or county-administered basis, as provided under section 2012(s)(1) of this title. (3) Records (A) In general Each State agency shall keep such records as may be necessary to determine whether the program is being conducted in compliance with this chapter (including regulations issued under this chapter). (B) Inspection and audit All records, and the entire information systems in which records are contained, that are covered in subparagraph (A) shall— (i) be made available for inspection and audit by the Secretary, subject to data and security protocols agreed to by the State agency and Secretary; (ii) subject to subsection (e)(8), be available for review in any action filed by a household to enforce any provision of this chapter (including regulations issued under this chapter); and (iii) be preserved for such period of not less than 3 years as may be specified in regulations. (4) Review of major changes in program design (A) In general The Secretary shall develop standards for identifying major changes in the operations of a State agency, including— (i) large or substantially-increased numbers of low-income households that do not live in reasonable proximity to an office performing the major functions described in subsection (e); (ii) substantial increases in reliance on automated systems for the performance of responsibilities previously performed by personnel described in subsection (e)(6)(B); (iii) changes that potentially increase the difficulty of reporting information under subsection (e) or section 2015(c) of this title; and (iv) changes that may disproportionately increase the burdens on any of the types of households described in subsection (e)(2)(A). (B) Notification If a State agency implements a major change in operations, the State agency shall— (i) notify the Secretary; and (ii) collect such information as the Secretary shall require to identify and correct any adverse effects on program integrity or access, including access by any of the types of households described in subsection (e)(2)(A). (b) Correction of improper denials and under­issuances When a State agency learns, through its own reviews under section 2025 of this title or other reviews, or through other sources, that it has improperly denied, terminated, or underissued benefits to an eligible household, the State agency shall promptly restore any improperly denied benefits to the extent required by subsection (e)(11) and section 2023(b) of this title, and shall take other steps to prevent a recurrence of such errors where such error was caused by the application of State agency practices, rules or procedures inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter or with regulations or policies of the Secretary issued under the authority of this chapter. (c) Civil rights compliance (1) In general In the certification of applicant households for the supplemental nutrition assistance program, there shall be no discrimination by reason of race, sex, religious creed, national origin, or political affiliation. (2) Relation to other laws The administration of the program by a State agency shall be consistent with the rights of households under the following laws (including implementing regulations): (A) The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.). (B) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794). (C) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). (D) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.). (d) Plan of operation by State agency; approval by Secretary; Indians The State agency (as defined in section 2012(s)(1) of this title) of each State desiring to ...

    62 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

  • § 2025 Administrative cost-sharing and quality control Amends

    7 U.S.C. § 2025 — at 2025(k)

    The law today

    (a) Administrative costs Subject to subsection (k), the Secretary is authorized to pay to each State agency, through fiscal year 2026, 50 percent, and for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, 25 percent, of all administrative costs involved in each State agency’s operation of the supplemental nutrition assistance program, which costs shall include, but not be limited to, the cost of (1) the certification of applicant households, (2) the acceptance, storage, protection, control, and accounting of benefits after their delivery to receiving points within the State, (3) the issuance of benefits to all eligible households, (4) informational activities relating to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, including those undertaken under section 2020(e)(1)(A) of this title, but not including recruitment activities designed to persuade an individual to apply for program benefits or that promote the program through television, radio, or billboard advertisements, (5) fair hearings, (6) automated data processing and information retrieval systems subject to the conditions set forth in subsection (g), (7) supplemental nutrition assistance program investigations and prosecutions, (8) implementing and operating the immigration status verification system established under section 1137(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–7(d)), and (9) establishing and operating a longitudinal database in accordance with section 2026(n) of this title: Provided, That the Secretary is authorized at the Secretary’s discretion to pay any State agency administering the supplemental nutrition assistance program on all or part of an Indian reservation under section 2020(d) of this title or in a Native village within the State of Alaska identified in section 1610(b) of title 43, such amounts for administrative costs as the Secretary determines to be necessary for effective operation of the supplemental nutrition assistance program, as well as to permit each State to retain 35 percent of the value of all funds or allotments recovered or collected pursuant to sections 2015(b) and 2022(c) of this title and 20 percent of the value of any other funds or allotments recovered or collected, except the value of funds or allotments recovered or collected that arise from an error of a State agency. The officials responsible for making determinations of ineligibility under this chapter shall not receive or benefit from revenues retained by the State under the provisions of this subsection. (b) Work supplementation or support program (1) “Work supplementation or support program” defined In this subsection, the term “work supplementation or support program” means a program under which, as determined by the Secretary, public assistance (including any benefits provided under a program established by the State and the supplemental nutrition assistance program) is provided to an employer to be used for hiring and employing a public assistance recipient who was not employed by the employer at the time the public assistance recipient entered the program. (2) Program A State agency may elect to use an amount equal to the allotment that would otherwise be issued to a household under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, but for the operation of this subsection, for the purpose of subsidizing or supporting a job under a work supplementation or support program established by the State. (3) Procedure If a State agency makes an election under paragraph (2) and identifies each household that participates in the supplemental nutrition assistance program that contains an individual who is participating in the work supplementation or support program— (A) the Secretary shall pay to the State agency an amount equal to the value of the allotment that the household would be eligible to receive but for the operation of this subsection; (B) the State agency shall expend the amount received under subparagraph (A) in accordance with the work supplementation or sup...

    68 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

  • § 2027 Appropriations and allotments Amends

    7 U.S.C. § 2027

    The law today

    (a) Authorization of allotments; monthly reports of expenditures to Congressional committees; restriction on use of funds; nutrition education improvements (1) To carry out this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2023. Not to exceed one-fourth of 1 per centum of the previous year’s appropriation is authorized in each such fiscal year to carry out the provisions of section 2026 of this title, subject to paragraph (3). (2) No funds authorized to be appropriated under this chapter or any other Act of Congress shall be used by any person, firm, corporation, group, or organization at any time, directly or indirectly, to interfere with or impede the implementation of any provision of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or project thereunder, except that this limitation shall not apply to the provision of legal and related assistance in connection with any proceeding or action before any State or Federal agency or court. The President shall ensure that this paragraph is complied with by such order or other means as the President deems appropriate. (3) (A) Of the amounts made available under the second sentence of paragraph (1), not more than $2,000,000 in any fiscal year may be used by the Secretary to make 2-year competitive grants that will— (i) enhance interagency cooperation in nutrition education activities; and (ii) develop cost effective ways to inform people eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits about nutrition, resource management, and community nutrition education programs, such as the expanded food and nutrition education program. (B) The Secretary shall make awards under this paragraph to one or more State cooperative extension services (as defined in section 3103 of this title) who shall administer the grants in coordination with other State or local agencies serving low-income people. (C) Each project shall include an evaluation component and shall develop an implementation plan for replication in other States. (D) The Secretary shall report to the appropriate committees of Congress on the results of the projects and shall disseminate the results through the cooperative extension service system and to State human services and health department offices, local supplemental nutrition assistance program offices, and other entities serving low-income households. (b) Limitation of value of allotments; reduction of allotments In any fiscal year, the Secretary shall limit the value of those allotments issued to an amount not in excess of the appropriation for such fiscal year. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if in any fiscal year the Secretary finds that the requirements of participating States will exceed the appropriation, the Secretary shall direct State agencies to reduce the value of such allotments to be issued to households certified as eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of this subsection. (c) Manner of reducing allotments In prescribing the manner in which allotments will be reduced under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall ensure that such reductions reflect, to the maximum extent practicable, the ratio of household income, determined under sections 2014(d) and 2014(e) of this title, to the income standards of eligibility, for households of equal size, determined under section 2014(c) of this title. The Secretary may, in prescribing the manner in which allotments will be reduced, establish (1) special provisions applicable to persons sixty years of age or over and persons who are physically or mentally handicapped or otherwise disabled, and (2) minimum allotments after any reductions are otherwise determined under this section. (d) Requisite action by Secretary to reduce allotments; statement to Congressional committees Not later than sixty days after the issuance of a report under s...

    9 other bills also change this section · Follow it → Official text at uscode.house.gov ↗

Also cites: 7 U.S.C. § 2013, 26 U.S.C. § 32, 26 U.S.C. § 501, 31 U.S.C. § 6305, 42 U.S.C. § 1761, 42 U.S.C. § 1766, 42 U.S.C. § 9922

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to enhance support for state agencies in reducing administrative burdens and to establish a grant program for community-based anti-hunger initiatives.

  • 7 U.S.C. 2025(k)

    (k) → (k) Administrative Cost for Increasing Access.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary is authorized to pay to each State agency an amount equal to 75 percent of the administrative costs incurred by the State agency in carrying out new activities not previously funded by the State-- (1) to increase the number of hours that supplemental nutrition assistance offices are open on weekends and nights if there is neither a decrease in the total number of supplemental nutrition assistance offices that are open in the State nor a decrease in the number of hours such offices are open during the regular work week; (2) to conduct verifiable activities to reduce the average wait time that applicants spend at supplemental nutrition assistance offices or to reduce the average number of office visits required of applicants; (3) to accept applications for supplemental nutrition assistance benefit by means of the Internet; (4) to upgrade computer systems and technology in ways that specifically increase access to the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and (5) at the time of application, to provide applicants with a checklist listing all documents required for a complete supplemental nutrition assistance application.

    This change increases the federal funding to states for new administrative activities aimed at improving access to SNAP.

  • 7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(2)

    the issuance of benefits for which the household would otherwise be eligible. → the fingerprint of any member of a household shall not be required for the purpose of participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program or for issuance of benefits for which the household would otherwise be eligible.

    This change removes the requirement for fingerprinting household members as a condition for SNAP participation.

  • 7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(2)

    In → that in

    Clarifies the wording in the regulation without changing its meaning.

  • 7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(2)

    the procedure established by the State agency shall not require that household members appear in person at the time of application, or at any other time, unless-- → that the State agency shall inform households, at the time of application, that-- household members are not required to appear in person at the time of application, or at any other time, unless-- expressly required by this Act; or in accordance with clause (ii);

    This change requires states to inform applicants that in-person appearances are not generally required, except under specific circumstances.

  • 7 U.S.C. 2027

    (i) The Secretary shall submit a single, unified, annual report to the appropriate committees of the Congress on the comparative progress of States in improving access to the supplemental nutrition assistance program. The following statistics shall be included in the report with respect to each particular State: (1) The percentage of supplemental nutrition assistance program applications processed within the 30-day period required by this Act. (2) The average number of days required to process expedited applications for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits. (3) The average number of days required to process regular applications for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits. (4) The average number of office visits that each applicant makes to receive supplemental nutrition assistance benefits. (5) Statewide negative errors rates. (6) The overall participation rate of households that are eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program. (7) The information specified in paragraphs (1) through (6) for a particular geographical area in such State.

    This establishes a requirement for an annual report on SNAP access improvements, enhancing accountability.

Action History

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

healthcare agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 1189 do?
Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2017 This bill reduces administrative requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), authorizes funding to increase access to SNAP offices, and authorizes grants for community-based nonprofits to expand anti-hunger activities. The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal existing provisions regarding administrative costs and authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay 75% of the administrative costs for state agencies to increase the operating hours of SNAP offices, reduce wait times, accept online applications, upgrade technology, and provide a checklist of required documents. If a state agency believes that information provided by a SNAP applicant is incorrect or incomplete, the agency must notify the applicant in writing and include instructions for providing the required information. Unless the information is not provided in response to the request or it cannot be verified, a state must not require an applicant to appear in person. State agencies must not require fingerprints for any member of a household to participate in SNAP or receive benefits. USDA must report annually to Congress on the comparative progress of states in improving access to SNAP. Beyond the Soup Kitchen Grants Program Act of 2017 The bill establishes a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program to provide grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for programs to reduce hunger, increase the use of nutrition assistance and anti-poverty programs, bolster food security, assist individuals and families to develop assets, promote economic independence, improve nutrition, and reduce obesity.
Who sponsors HR 1189?
HR 1189 is sponsored by Serrano, Jose E. (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 1189?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 1189?
Track HR 1189 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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