Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: Passed House Bipartisan · 26 D · 7 R cosponsors

HB 2540 — An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards.

Last action — Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 25, 2026

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

This bill has passed the House. Introduced May 27, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · high confidence

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 33 sponsors

    1 primary, 32 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (26 D · 7 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill provides for the transition to chip-enabled access cards for public assistance.

This bill amends the Human Services Code to allow for the use of chip-enabled access cards in public assistance programs. The aim is to enhance security for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: This means consumers accessing public assistance may use more secure chip-enabled cards.

Summary

Enhancing Security for EBT Cards

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

36 added · 54 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 2540 includes several important changes regarding the transition to chip-enabled access cards for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Notably, it now clearly states that the transition will be implemented cost-effectively, while also emphasizing enhanced security measures without specifying additional technology features. Additionally, the bill now guarantees that every eligible recipient will receive one chip-enabled access card at no cost. These updates are critical as they aim to improve the security and efficiency of how benefits are provided, ultimately protecting against fraud and ensuring recipients have better access to their assistance.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
3440 PRINTER'S NO.
3440 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
3513 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
WILLIAMS, HEFFLEY, FIEDLER, BURGOS, KAUFFMAN, MAYES, PROBST, SAMUELSON, GIRAL, POWELL, WAXMAN, VENKAT, McNEILL, JAMES, PUGH, HILL-EVANS, RIVERA, PASHINSKI, SANCHEZ, CURRY AND DELLOSO, MAY 26, 2026 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 3, 2026 AN ACT Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards.e, The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
WILLIAMS, HEFFLEY, FIEDLER, BURGOS, KAUFFMAN, MAYES, PROBST, SAMUELSON, GIRAL, POWELL, WAXMAN, VENKAT, McNEILL, JAMES, PUGH, HILL-EVANS, RIVERA, PASHINSKI, SANCHEZ AND CURRY, MAY 26, 2026 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, MAY 27, 2026 AN ACT Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance, providing for transition to chip-enabled access cards.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:
Transition to Chip-Enabled Access Cards.--(a) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly TO THE EXTENT <-- MONEY IS APPROPRIATED FOR THE PURPOSES UNDER THIS SECTION, the department shall transition all access cards for use in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include chip- enabled technology no later than January 1, 2028.
Transition to Chip-Enabled Access Cards.--(a) Subject to appropriations by the General Assembly, the department shall transition all access cards for use in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include chip- enabled technology no later than January 1, 2028.
(b) The department shall implement the transition under subsection (a) in the most cost-effective and efficient manner, <-- such as, but not limited to, transitioning access cards on a county-by-county basis or regional basis.
(b) The department shall implement the transition under subsection (a) in the most cost-effective and efficient manner, such as, but not limited to, transitioning access cards on a county-by-county basis or regional basis.
A MANNER THAT BALANCES <-- EFFICIENCY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND PROVIDES ENHANCED SECURITY FEATURES SUCH AS TAP-TO-PAY TECHNOLOGY OR OTHER TECHNOLOGY TO PREVENT BENEFIT THEFT.
(c) The department shall:
(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE ONE CHIP-ENABLED ACCESS CARD PER ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT AT NO COST TO THE RECIPIENT.
(1) Within 180 days of the effective date of this section, issue an initial report evaluating the transition under subsection (a) on a county-by-county basis to:
(c) (D) The department shall:
(i) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate.
<-- (1) Within 180 days of the effective date of this section, issue an initial report evaluating the transition under subsection (a) on a county-by-county basis to:
<-- (i) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Senate.
(4) Apply for any Federal grants or money made available to <-- implement the transition in a manner that would result in receiving the maximum amount of money possible.
(4) Apply for any Federal grants or money made available to implement the transition in a manner that would result in receiving the maximum amount of money possible.
(4) PERFORM OUTREACH TO RECIPIENTS ON THE TRANSITION, <-- INCLUDING POSTING ON THE DEPARTMENT'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE, IN A SHAREABLE FORMAT, RESOURCES AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE USE OF ACCESS CARDS WITH CHIP-ENABLED TECHNOLOGY.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the department's authority to implement future changes to access cards to enhance benefit security.
(5) ESTABLISH A PROCEDURE TO DISTRIBUTE ACCESS CARDS TO 20260HB2540PN3513 - 2 - ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
(6) TAKE NECESSARY STEPS, WHERE POSSIBLE, TO MAXIMIZE FUNDING WITH FEDERAL OR OTHER FUNDING SOURCES BY OCTOBER 1, 2026.
(d) (E) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit <-- the department's authority to implement future changes to access cards to enhance benefit security.
20260HB2540PN3513 - 3 -
20260HB2540PN3440 - 2 -
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Action History

  1. Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 25, 2026

  2. Second consideration, June 25, 2026

  3. First consideration, June 24, 2026

  4. Reported as committed, June 24, 2026

  5. Referred to HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, June 18, 2026

  6. In the Senate

  7. (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 15, 2026

  8. Third consideration and final passage, June 15, 2026 (202-0)

  9. Re-reported as committed, June 15, 2026

  10. Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, June 10, 2026

  11. Second consideration, June 10, 2026

  12. Re-reported as committed, June 10, 2026

  13. Re-committed to RULES, June 3, 2026

  14. First consideration, June 3, 2026

  15. Reported as amended, June 3, 2026

  16. Referred to HUMAN SERVICES, May 27, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 32 co-sponsors · 220 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (32)

Not signed on (220)

220 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 220 →

"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

Votes

FINAL PASSAGE

Passed 202 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 102000
Republican 100000
Total 202000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (202)
Member Party Vote
Abigail Salisbury Democratic Yea
Aerion Abney Democratic Yea
Amen Brown Democratic Yea
Ana Tiburcio Democratic Yea
Andre D. Carroll Democratic Yea
Anita Astorino Kulik Democratic Yea
Anthony A. Bellmon Democratic Yea
Arvind Venkat Democratic Yea
Ben Waxman Democratic Yea
Benjamin V. Sanchez Democratic Yea
Brandon J. Markosek Democratic Yea
Brian Munroe Democratic Yea
Bridget M. Kosierowski Democratic Yea
Carol Hill-Evans Democratic Yea
Carol Kazeem Democratic Yea
Chris Pielli Democratic Yea
Christina D. Sappey Democratic Yea
Christopher M. Rabb Democratic Yea
Dan Frankel Democratic Yea
Dan Goughnour Democratic Yea
Dan K. Williams Democratic Yea
Daniel J. Deasy Democratic Yea
Danielle Friel Otten Democratic Yea
Danilo Burgos Democratic Yea
Darisha K. Parker Democratic Yea
Dave Madsen Democratic Yea
David M. Delloso Democratic Yea
Ed Neilson Democratic Yea
Eddie Day Pashinski Democratic Yea
Elizabeth Fiedler Democratic Yea
Emily Kinkead Democratic Yea
Frank Burns Democratic Yea
G. Roni Green Democratic Yea
Gina H. Curry Democratic Yea
Greg Scott Democratic Yea
Greg Vitali Democratic Yea
Heather Boyd Democratic Yea
Ismail Smith-Wade-El Democratic Yea
Jacklyn Rusnock Democratic Yea
Jared G. Solomon Democratic Yea
Jason Dawkins Democratic Yea
Jeanne McNeill Democratic Yea
Jen Mazzocco Democratic Yea
Jennifer O'Mara Democratic Yea
Jessica Benham Democratic Yea
Jim Haddock Democratic Yea
Jim Prokopiak Democratic Yea
Joanna E. McClinton Democratic Yea
Joe Ciresi Democratic Yea
Joe McAndrew Democratic Yea
Joe Webster Democratic Yea
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz Democratic Yea
John C. Inglis III Democratic Yea
Jordan A. Harris Democratic Yea
Jose Giral Democratic Yea
Joseph C. Hohenstein Democratic Yea
Justin C. Fleming Democratic Yea
Keith S. Harris Democratic Yea
Kristine C. Howard Democratic Yea
Kyle Donahue Democratic Yea
Kyle J. Mullins Democratic Yea
La'Tasha D. Mayes Democratic Yea
Leanne Krueger Democratic Yea
Lindsay Powell Democratic Yea
Lisa A. Borowski Democratic Yea
Liz Hanbidge Democratic Yea
Malcolm Kenyatta Democratic Yea
Mandy Steele Democratic Yea
Manuel Guzman Democratic Yea
Mary Jo Daley Democratic Yea
MaryLouise Isaacson Democratic Yea
Matthew D. Bradford Democratic Yea
Maureen E. Madden Democratic Yea
Melissa Cerrato Democratic Yea
Melissa L. Shusterman Democratic Yea
Michael H. Schlossberg Democratic Yea
Morgan Cephas Democratic Yea
Nancy Guenst Democratic Yea
Napoleon J. Nelson Democratic Yea
Nathan Davidson Democratic Yea
Nikki Rivera Democratic Yea
Pat Gallagher Democratic Yea
Patrick J. Harkins Democratic Yea
Paul Friel Democratic Yea
Paul Takac Democratic Yea
Perry S. Warren Democratic Yea
Peter Schweyer Democratic Yea
Regina G. Young Democratic Yea
Rick Krajewski Democratic Yea
Robert E. Merski Democratic Yea
Robert F. Matzie Democratic Yea
Robert Freeman Democratic Yea
Ryan A. Bizzarro Democratic Yea
Scott Conklin Democratic Yea
Sean Dougherty Democratic Yea
Steve Samuelson Democratic Yea
Steven R. Malagari Democratic Yea
Tarah Probst Democratic Yea
Tarik Khan Democratic Yea
Tim Brennan Democratic Yea
Tim Briggs Democratic Yea
Tina M. Davis Democratic Yea
Aaron Bernstine Republican Yea
Abby Major Republican Yea
Alec J. Ryncavage Republican Yea
Andrea C. Verobish Republican Yea
Andrew Kuzma Republican Yea
Ann Flood Republican Yea
Barbara Gleim Republican Yea
Brad Roae Republican Yea
Brenda M. Pugh Republican Yea
Brett R. Miller Republican Yea
Brian C. Rasel Republican Yea
Brian Smith Republican Yea
Bryan Cutler Republican Yea
Bud Cook Republican Yea
Carl Walker Metzgar Republican Yea
Catherine I Wallen Republican Yea
Chad G. Reichard Republican Yea
Charity Grimm Krupa Republican Yea
Clint Owlett Republican Yea
Craig T. Staats Republican Yea
Craig Williams Republican Yea
Dallas Kephart Republican Yea
Dan Moul Republican Yea
Dane Watro Republican Yea
David H. Rowe Republican Yea
David H. Zimmerman Republican Yea
David M. Maloney Republican Yea
Donna Scheuren Republican Yea
Doyle Heffley Republican Yea
Eric Davanzo Republican Yea
Eric J. Weaknecht Republican Yea
Eric R. Nelson Republican Yea
Gary W. Day Republican Yea
George H Margetas Republican Yea
Jack Rader Republican Yea
Jacob D. Banta Republican Yea
James B. Struzzi Republican Yea
Jamie Barton Republican Yea
Jamie L. Flick Republican Yea
Jamie Walsh Republican Yea
Jason Ortitay Republican Yea
Jeff Olsommer Republican Yea
Jeremy Shaffer Republican Yea
Jesse Topper Republican Yea
Jill N. Cooper Republican Yea
Jim Rigby Republican Yea
Joanne Stehr Republican Yea
Joe Emrick Republican Yea
Joe Hamm Republican Yea
Joe Hogan Republican Yea
Joe Kerwin Republican Yea
John A. Lawrence Republican Yea
John A. Schlegel Republican Yea
Jonathan Fritz Republican Yea
Joseph D'Orsie Republican Yea
Josh Bashline Republican Yea
Joshua D. Kail Republican Yea
Kate A. Klunk Republican Yea
Kathleen C. Tomlinson Republican Yea
Kathy L. Rapp Republican Yea
Keith J. Greiner Republican Yea
Kerry A. Benninghoff Republican Yea
Kristin Marcell Republican Yea
Leslie Rossi Republican Yea
Marc S. Anderson Republican Yea
Marci Mustello Republican Yea
Mark M. Gillen Republican Yea
Marla Brown Republican Yea
Martin T. Causer Republican Yea
Martina A. White Republican Yea
Michael Stender Republican Yea
Mike Armanini Republican Yea
Mike Jones Republican Yea
Milou Mackenzie Republican Yea
Mindy Fee Republican Yea
Natalie Mihalek Republican Yea
Parke Wentling Republican Yea
Perry A. Stambaugh Republican Yea
R. Lee James Republican Yea
Rich Irvin Republican Yea
Rob W. Kauffman Republican Yea
Robert Leadbeter Republican Yea
Roman Kozak Republican Yea
Russ Diamond Republican Yea
Ryan Warner Republican Yea
Scott Barger Republican Yea
Shelby Labs Republican Yea
Sheryl M. Delozier Republican Yea
Stephanie Borowicz Republican Yea
Steven C. Mentzer Republican Yea
Thomas H. Kutz Republican Yea
Thomas L. Mehaffie Republican Yea
Tim Twardzik Republican Yea
Timothy J. O'Neal Republican Yea
Timothy R. Bonner Republican Yea
Tina Pickett Republican Yea
Tom Jones Republican Yea
Valerie S. Gaydos Republican Yea
Wendy Fink Republican Yea
Zachary Mako Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety healthcare
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 2540 do?
Enhancing Security for EBT Cards
Who sponsors HB 2540?
HB 2540 is sponsored by Rob W. Kauffman (Republican), Liz Hanbidge (Democratic), Scott Barger (Republican), Tarik Khan (Democratic), Justin C. Fleming (Democratic), Jeremy Shaffer (Republican), Darisha K. Parker (Democratic), Joe Ciresi (Democratic), G. Roni Green (Democratic), Mandy Steele (Democratic), Abigail Salisbury (Democratic), Melissa L. Shusterman (Democratic), Joe Hogan (Republican), David M. Delloso (Democratic), Gina H. Curry (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Eddie Day Pashinski (Democratic), Nikki Rivera (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Brenda M. Pugh (Republican), R. Lee James (Republican), Jeanne McNeill (Democratic), Arvind Venkat (Democratic), Ben Waxman (Democratic), Lindsay Powell (Democratic), Jose Giral (Democratic), Steve Samuelson (Democratic), Tarah Probst (Democratic), La'Tasha D. Mayes (Democratic), Danilo Burgos (Democratic), Elizabeth Fiedler (Democratic), Doyle Heffley (Republican), and Dan K. Williams (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 2540?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced May 27, 2026. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 2540?
Track HB 2540 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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