Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act of 2019
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (27 Mar 2019): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
What this bill does
The Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act of 2019 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make it easier for people to access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It would let the U.S. Department of Agriculture cover 75 percent of state administrative costs for expanding office hours, reducing wait times, accepting online applications, upgrading technology, and giving applicants document checklists. It would also bar states from requiring fingerprinting for SNAP eligibility, limit when applicants must appear in person, and require USDA to issue an annual report comparing states on application processing times, error rates, and participation rates.
The bill would separately create a "Beyond the Soup Kitchen" pilot grant program, authorizing USDA to award up to 30 grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger organizations. These groups would distribute subgrants (10–200 per grantee) to local partners for programs addressing hunger, nutrition, job training, benefits enrollment, and related community needs, with limits on how much funding can go toward direct food purchases. USDA would also fund separate technical assistance grants to organizations that support these local groups. The measure primarily affects SNAP applicants, state agencies administering SNAP, and nonprofit anti-hunger organizations.
The bill was introduced in the House on February 28, 2019, by Rep. José Serrano and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of the 116th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2019
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 repeals existing provisions regarding administrative costs and authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay 75% of the administrative costs for state agencies to carry out new activities 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. A state may not require an appplicant to appear in person unless the information is not provided in response to the request or cannot be verified. State agencies may 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.
The bill also establishes a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program to provide grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for programs and technical assistance 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.
Timeline
27 Mar 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1470 do?
- The Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act of 2019 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to make it easier for people to access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It would let the U.S. Department of Agriculture cover 75 percent of state administrative costs for expanding office hours, reducing wait times, accepting online applications, upgrading technology, and giving applicants document checklists. It would also bar states from requiring fingerprinting for SNAP eligibility, limit when applicants must appear in person, and require USDA to issue an annual report comparing states on application processing times, error rates, and participation rates. The bill would separately create a "Beyond the Soup Kitchen" pilot grant program, authorizing USDA to award up to 30 grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger organizations. These groups would distribute subgrants (10–200 per grantee) to local partners for programs addressing hunger, nutrition, job training, benefits enrollment, and related community needs, with limits on how much funding can go toward direct food purchases. USDA would also fund separate technical assistance grants to organizations that support these local groups. The measure primarily affects SNAP applicants, state agencies administering SNAP, and nonprofit anti-hunger organizations. The bill was introduced in the House on February 28, 2019, by Rep. José Serrano and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of the 116th Congress.
- Has H.R. 1470 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 1470. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1470?
- H.R. 1470 was sponsored by Rep. Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-15] (D-NY), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1470?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. (27 Mar 2019).
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More bills from Rep. Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-15]
Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2017
Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2015
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Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2013
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