This bill directs the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to take several actions regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It mandates the submission of a waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with SNAP benefits, strengthens work requirements for SNAP eligibility, and requires the department to enter into data-sharing agreements with other state agencies to verify eligibility. Additionally, the bill prohibits the department from exercising discretion to set more lenient standards for SNAP eligibility than those established by federal law.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire, which will include various stakeholders such as legislators, SNAP recipients, and representatives from relevant industries and organizations. The commission is tasked with researching the feasibility of changes to SNAP, prioritizing healthy food purchases, examining fraud within the program, and assessing the economic impacts of potential changes. The commission will submit interim and final reports on its findings and recommendations by specified deadlines. The bill also includes a repeal of the existing RSA 161:15 related to the commission, indicating a restructuring of how SNAP is studied and regulated in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 167:7-b
As Amended by the Senate: 161:15
SB615 text: 167:7-b