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CHAPTER 200
SB 615-FN - FINAL VERSION
03/12/2026 1045s
06/04/2026 2031EBA
2026 SESSION
26-2274
05/08
SENATE BILL
615-FN
AN ACT
establishing a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire.
SPONSORS: Sen. Sullivan, Dist 18; Sen. Abbas, Dist 22; Rep. Rice, Hills. 38; Rep. Notter, Hills. 12; Rep. Farrington, Straf. 8; Rep. Mazur, Hills. 44; Rep. McLean, Hills. 15
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a commission to study the use and regulation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in New Hampshire.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in
bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [
in brackets and struckthrough.
]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/12/2026 1045s
06/04/2026 2031EBA 26-2274
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT
establishing a commission to study the use and regulation of SNAP in New Hampshire.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
200:1 New Section; Commission to Study the Use and Regulation of SNAP Established. Amend RSA 161 by inserting after section 14 the following new section:
161:15 Commission to Study the Use and Regulation of SNAP Established.
I. There is established a commission to study the use and regulation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in New Hampshire.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, II(c), the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) Two members of the senate, where at least one member is a member of the senate health and human services committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, where at least one member is a member of the house health, human services, and elderly affairs committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) Two people who are currently receiving SNAP benefits, appointed by the governor.
(d) A representative of a family resource center, appointed by Family Support NH.
(e) Two representatives of the department of health and human services, appointed by the commissioner.
(f) The governor, or designee.
(g) A representative from the beverage industry, appointed by the president of the senate.
(h) A representative from the grocers' industry, appointed by the president of the senate.
(i) A representative from convenience store industry, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(j) A representative from the New Hampshire Food Bank, appointed by that organization.
(k) A representative from the Double Up Food Bucks program, appointed by that program.
(l) A representative of New Futures, appointed by that organization.
(m) A representative of the Business and Industry Association, appointed by the association.
(n) A representative of the New Hampshire Farmers' Market Association, appointed by the association.
(o) A representative from New Hampshire Hunger Solutions, appointed by that organization.
(p) A representative of NH Legal Assistance, appointed by that organization.
(q) A representative from the New Hampshire Medical Association, appointed by that organization.
(r) One representative from a New Hampshire school, appointed by the NH School Administrators Association or the New Hampshire School Boards Association.
III. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except that legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.
IV. The commission shall:
(a) Research the practicality and feasibility of changing SNAP, including potential consequences from the federal government.
(b) Study how to prioritize SNAP dollars going to healthy food, including the feasibility of healthy eating educational campaigns.
(c) Study the economic impacts of SNAP changes to various industries, including costs to grocery stores, liquor stores, New Hampshire food banks, and convenience stores.
(d) Work with the department of health and human services to examine the prevalence of fraud, waste, and abuse within the SNAP program in New Hampshire, and determine what the department would require to identify fraud, waste, and abuse in the SNAP program.
(e) Study the impact of a waiver on New Hampshire retailers considering:
(1) The cost of compliance with a waiver to individual retailers and the state;
(2) The potential impact on retailers and state tax revenues due to decreased cross border sales and economic activity; and
(3) The impact to New Hampshire residents of rural areas and cities should the proposed waiver limit the ability of retailers to accept SNAP payments.
V. The members of the commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
VI. The commission shall submit an interim report with its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2026. The commission shall submit a final report on or before November 1, 2027.
200:2 Repeal. RSA 161:15, relative to the commission to study SNAP, is repealed.
200:3 Effective Date.
I. Section 2 of this act shall take effect November 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 19, 2026
Effective Date:
I. Section 2 effective November 1, 2027
II. Remainder effective June 19, 2026