RESTORE Act of 2025
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (5 Dec 2025): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
What this bill does
H.R. 5223, the RESTORE Act of 2025, would amend federal law to remove the automatic, lifetime ban on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits for people convicted of drug-related offenses. Under current law, that ban applies to both SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the bill narrows the restriction so it applies only to TANF cash assistance, not SNAP food benefits. It also voids any state law, policy, or regulation that denies SNAP eligibility based on a drug conviction, and it changes SNAP's definition of "household" to include incarcerated individuals scheduled to be released within 30 days, allowing them to be counted for benefit purposes before release.
The bill mainly affects people with past drug convictions, including those recently released or about to be released from incarceration, by making them eligible for federal food assistance regardless of their criminal record. States would no longer be able to impose additional drug-conviction-related restrictions on SNAP eligibility, which could affect state administration of the program.
The bill was introduced on September 9, 2025, by Rep. Steve Cohen, with Rep. Rutherford as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means for consideration. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Re-Entry Support Through Opportunities for Resources and Essentials Act of 2025 or the RESTORE Act of 2025
This bill repeals a prohibition barring an individual with certain felony drug convictions from participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, a state may opt out of enforcing the ban on participation.
The bill also allows an individual who is incarcerated to apply for SNAP benefits before their release date. Specifically, the bill amends the definition of household to include incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released from an institution within 30 days. Currently, a state agency may apply to the Food and Nutrition Service for an administrative waiver in order to allow individuals to apply for SNAP benefits up to 30 days prior to release.
Timeline
5 Dec 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 5223 do?
- H.R. 5223, the RESTORE Act of 2025, would amend federal law to remove the automatic, lifetime ban on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits for people convicted of drug-related offenses. Under current law, that ban applies to both SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the bill narrows the restriction so it applies only to TANF cash assistance, not SNAP food benefits. It also voids any state law, policy, or regulation that denies SNAP eligibility based on a drug conviction, and it changes SNAP's definition of "household" to include incarcerated individuals scheduled to be released within 30 days, allowing them to be counted for benefit purposes before release. The bill mainly affects people with past drug convictions, including those recently released or about to be released from incarceration, by making them eligible for federal food assistance regardless of their criminal record. States would no longer be able to impose additional drug-conviction-related restrictions on SNAP eligibility, which could affect state administration of the program. The bill was introduced on September 9, 2025, by Rep. Steve Cohen, with Rep. Rutherford as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means for consideration. It has not yet received a committee vote or floor action, and would need to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the President before becoming law.
- Has H.R. 5223 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 5223. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 5223?
- H.R. 5223 was sponsored by Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), with 12 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 5223?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture. (5 Dec 2025).
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