House Bill No. 335, introduced by Representative Chance Henry, amends existing laws regarding the verification of citizenship for applicants seeking federal, state, or local public benefits. The bill expands the scope of entities required to verify citizenship status to include not only state agencies and political subdivisions but also any entity administering public benefits. It mandates that these entities verify that applicants are U.S. citizens or possess satisfactory immigration status. Additionally, the bill stipulates that upon the conclusion of a reasonable opportunity period for verification, or upon receiving final verification of an applicant's status, the entities must take specific actions, including being subject to audits by the legislative auditor.

Furthermore, the bill requires these entities to report annually to key legislative leaders on the outcomes of the citizenship verification process, including the number of individuals reported to immigration authorities and those whose public assistance was terminated. However, it explicitly excludes nonprofit organizations that distribute food from these verification requirements and reporting obligations. This legislation aims to enhance the integrity of public assistance programs while ensuring that certain nonprofit entities are not burdened by these regulations.