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Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

USA119th CongressHR-5168| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2026
Pablo Jose Hernández

Pablo Jose Hernández

Democratic Representative

Puerto Rico

Cosponsors (64)
John W. Mannion (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Republican)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Joe Courtney (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Christian D. Menefee (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)George Latimer (Democratic)Derek Tran (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)John B. Larson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Sharice Davids (Democratic)Nellie Pou (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Tony Gonzales (Republican)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)James C. Moylan (Republican)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)George Whitesides (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act seeks to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), moving it away from its current nutrition assistance block grant. This transition involves amending the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to recognize Puerto Rico as a "State" for SNAP eligibility and program administration. Specifically, it modifies definitions and eligibility sections to include Puerto Rico alongside other U.S. territories and states. To facilitate this change, Puerto Rico must submit a detailed plan of operation for transitioning to SNAP within 180 days of designating a responsible agency. The Secretary of Agriculture will provide appropriate technical assistance during this period and must approve or disapprove the plan within 180 days of receipt. Upon approval, the Secretary will certify to Congress that Puerto Rico qualifies to participate in SNAP as a State. The existing consolidated block grant for Puerto Rico will continue for a transition period, lasting up to five years after the amendments' effective date or until the Secretary determines it's no longer needed. During this time, the Secretary will provide annual reports to Congress detailing the block grant's operation and the funding increases required for the SNAP transition. Crucially, while the Act takes effect upon enactment, the substantive amendments enabling Puerto Rico's full participation in SNAP will become effective ten years after the date of enactment .
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-8495
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5220
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-253
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
Sep 8, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jan 13, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Mar 2, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3958
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-8495
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5220
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-253
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act


  • September 8, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 8, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • January 13, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.


  • March 2, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3958
    Introduced in Senate

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • S 119-3958: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

USA119th CongressHR-5168| House 
| Updated: 1/13/2026
The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act seeks to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), moving it away from its current nutrition assistance block grant. This transition involves amending the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to recognize Puerto Rico as a "State" for SNAP eligibility and program administration. Specifically, it modifies definitions and eligibility sections to include Puerto Rico alongside other U.S. territories and states. To facilitate this change, Puerto Rico must submit a detailed plan of operation for transitioning to SNAP within 180 days of designating a responsible agency. The Secretary of Agriculture will provide appropriate technical assistance during this period and must approve or disapprove the plan within 180 days of receipt. Upon approval, the Secretary will certify to Congress that Puerto Rico qualifies to participate in SNAP as a State. The existing consolidated block grant for Puerto Rico will continue for a transition period, lasting up to five years after the amendments' effective date or until the Secretary determines it's no longer needed. During this time, the Secretary will provide annual reports to Congress detailing the block grant's operation and the funding increases required for the SNAP transition. Crucially, while the Act takes effect upon enactment, the substantive amendments enabling Puerto Rico's full participation in SNAP will become effective ten years after the date of enactment .
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-8495
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5220
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-253
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
Sep 8, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jan 13, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Mar 2, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3958
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-8495
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5220
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-253
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act


  • September 8, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 8, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • January 13, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.


  • March 2, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3958
    Introduced in Senate
Pablo Jose Hernández

Pablo Jose Hernández

Democratic Representative

Puerto Rico

Cosponsors (64)
John W. Mannion (Democratic)Yassamin Ansari (Democratic)Gilbert Ray Cisneros (Democratic)Jared Huffman (Democratic)Ritchie Torres (Democratic)Robert Garcia (Democratic)Kimberlyn King-Hinds (Republican)Gabe Vasquez (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Darren Soto (Democratic)Raul Ruiz (Democratic)Joe Courtney (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Andrea Salinas (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Rosa L. DeLauro (Democratic)Christian D. Menefee (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Maria Elvira Salazar (Republican)George Latimer (Democratic)Derek Tran (Democratic)Don Bacon (Republican)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)John B. Larson (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Alma S. Adams (Democratic)Betty McCollum (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Sharice Davids (Democratic)Nellie Pou (Democratic)Lateefah Simon (Democratic)Salud O. Carbajal (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Jim Costa (Democratic)Tony Gonzales (Republican)James P. McGovern (Democratic)Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic)Summer L. Lee (Democratic)James C. Moylan (Republican)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Sarah McBride (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Deborah K. Ross (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Emily Randall (Democratic)Nanette Diaz Barragán (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Jesús G. "Chuy" García (Democratic)George Whitesides (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Chellie Pingree (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee

Agriculture and Food

Related Bills

  • S 119-3958: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted