SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2023
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (26 Sep 2023): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
What this bill does
**What the bill would do:** H.R. 5094 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to let state agencies hire outside contractors—alongside their own government employees—to help process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications and eligibility determinations. This "blended workforce" approach would be allowed when states face surges in applications or processing backlogs due to causes such as pandemics, health emergencies, seasonal workforce changes, staffing shortages, or natural disasters. Contracts could not create incentives to delay or deny benefits, and contractors could not have financial ties to SNAP-approved retailers. States would need to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would post the notifications publicly and issue annual reports to Congress on usage and outcomes.
**Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects state agencies administering SNAP, their employees, and private or nonprofit contractors that might be hired to assist with SNAP work. It also affects SNAP applicants and recipients, since the stated goal is to speed up application processing. The bill specifies that contracting could not replace existing merit-based state employees and would not override existing collective bargaining agreements.
**Status and next steps:** The bill was introduced August 1, 2023, by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), with Rep. Chavez-DeRemer as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not received a committee vote or further action, and, per the official summary, did not advance in the 118th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2023
This bill allows a state agency to hire a contractor to perform Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification or other state functions for SNAP under certain conditions.
Specifically, a state agency may hire a contractor when the state experiences an increase in SNAP applications or an inability to timely process such applications from causes that include (1) pandemics and other health emergencies, (2) seasonal workforce cycles, (3) temporary staffing shortages, and (4) weather or other natural disasters. The bill includes specific parameters for a state agency that hires a contractor based on temporary staffing shortages.
The bill requires that a contractor be part of a blended workforce (i.e., combines government employees and the employees of a for-profit or private nonprofit employer).
Further, a state agency must notify the Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the intent to hire a contractor and provide any information or data supporting state agency increases in SNAP applications or the inability to timely process applications. USDA must make the notification and accompanying information publicly available on the USDA website.
Finally, USDA must submit an annual report to Congress that includes specific information and recommendations, including information on the measures taken by USDA to address increases in SNAP applications.
Timeline
26 Sep 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5094 do?
- **What the bill would do:** H.R. 5094 would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to let state agencies hire outside contractors—alongside their own government employees—to help process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications and eligibility determinations. This "blended workforce" approach would be allowed when states face surges in applications or processing backlogs due to causes such as pandemics, health emergencies, seasonal workforce changes, staffing shortages, or natural disasters. Contracts could not create incentives to delay or deny benefits, and contractors could not have financial ties to SNAP-approved retailers. States would need to notify the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which would post the notifications publicly and issue annual reports to Congress on usage and outcomes. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects state agencies administering SNAP, their employees, and private or nonprofit contractors that might be hired to assist with SNAP work. It also affects SNAP applicants and recipients, since the stated goal is to speed up application processing. The bill specifies that contracting could not replace existing merit-based state employees and would not override existing collective bargaining agreements. **Status and next steps:** The bill was introduced August 1, 2023, by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), with Rep. Chavez-DeRemer as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not received a committee vote or further action, and, per the official summary, did not advance in the 118th Congress.
- Has H.R. 5094 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 5094. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5094?
- H.R. 5094 was sponsored by Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2] (R-NE), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5094?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture. (26 Sep 2023).
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