This bill proposes a supplemental appropriation of $4.4 million to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to address a budget shortfall caused by a reduction in federal matching funds. Specifically, the federal cost share for administrative costs has been decreased from 50 percent to 25 percent, resulting in a significant impact on the state's budget for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. The bill acknowledges the importance of SNAP in reducing food insecurity and aims to mitigate the financial challenges posed by the recent federal policy change.

The legislation includes provisions that allow the Department of Health and Human Services to accept and expend matching federal funds without prior approval from the fiscal committee, thereby streamlining the process for addressing the funding shortfall. The effective date of the act is set for July 1, 2026. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that the state can continue to support SNAP's administrative costs despite the reduced federal contribution, thereby maintaining essential services for residents in need.