Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions Act of 2025
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (26 Jun 2025): Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
What this bill does
H.R. 4158, the Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions Act of 2025, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to permanently bar states and their agents or contractors from charging retailers fees for processing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) electronic benefit transfer transactions, including fees related to switching or routing benefit payments. An exception would remain for costs tied to equipment rentals. The bill would supersede an earlier, temporary fee moratorium established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, making that prohibition permanent rather than time-limited.
The change would primarily affect state agencies that administer SNAP, along with the contractors and subcontractors that process EBT transactions, and SNAP-authorized retailers who accept these benefits. By eliminating transaction fees on such retailers, the bill is intended to keep the costs of processing SNAP payments from being passed on in ways that could affect stores or benefit delivery. SNAP recipients are indirectly affected as beneficiaries of the payment system being addressed.
The bill was introduced on June 26, 2025, by Rep. Shontel Brown, with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not yet been voted on by the committee or the full House. If enacted, it would take effect October 1, 2025. Further committee action, floor votes in the House and Senate, and presidential signature would be required before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
26 Jun 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4158 do?
- H.R. 4158, the Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions Act of 2025, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to permanently bar states and their agents or contractors from charging retailers fees for processing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) electronic benefit transfer transactions, including fees related to switching or routing benefit payments. An exception would remain for costs tied to equipment rentals. The bill would supersede an earlier, temporary fee moratorium established under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, making that prohibition permanent rather than time-limited. The change would primarily affect state agencies that administer SNAP, along with the contractors and subcontractors that process EBT transactions, and SNAP-authorized retailers who accept these benefits. By eliminating transaction fees on such retailers, the bill is intended to keep the costs of processing SNAP payments from being passed on in ways that could affect stores or benefit delivery. SNAP recipients are indirectly affected as beneficiaries of the payment system being addressed. The bill was introduced on June 26, 2025, by Rep. Shontel Brown, with a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It has not yet been voted on by the committee or the full House. If enacted, it would take effect October 1, 2025. Further committee action, floor votes in the House and Senate, and presidential signature would be required before it could become law.
- Has H.R. 4158 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4158. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4158?
- H.R. 4158 was sponsored by Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11] (D-OH), with 7 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4158?
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. (26 Jun 2025).
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