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Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

USA119th CongressS-3958| Senate 
| Updated: 3/2/2026
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (12)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the "Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act," seeks to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to redefine "State" to include Puerto Rico for SNAP eligibility and requires cost adjustments to the thrifty food plan to reflect local food costs, similar to Hawaii and Alaska. To facilitate this transition, Puerto Rico must submit a comprehensive plan of operation to the Secretary of Agriculture within 180 days of designating an agency, with the Secretary providing technical assistance upon request. The Secretary is then required to approve this plan within 180 days if it meets SNAP State plan requirements, followed by a certification to Congress that Puerto Rico qualifies for SNAP. During the transition, the existing consolidated block grant for Puerto Rico may continue for up to five years after the Act's effective date, or until the Secretary determines the transition is complete. The Secretary must also submit annual reports to Congress on the block grant's operation, detailing any funding increases needed for the SNAP transition. Notably, the amendments enabling Puerto Rico's full participation in SNAP will take effect 10 years after the bill's enactment, and after this period, the block grant funds previously allocated to Puerto Rico will be redirected to American Samoa to support its nutrition assistance program.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4967
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-949
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2023
Sep 8, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5168
Introduced in House
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 2, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4967
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-949
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2023


  • September 8, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5168
    Introduced in House


  • March 2, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 2, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5168: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act

USA119th CongressS-3958| Senate 
| Updated: 3/2/2026
This legislation, titled the "Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act," seeks to integrate Puerto Rico into the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to redefine "State" to include Puerto Rico for SNAP eligibility and requires cost adjustments to the thrifty food plan to reflect local food costs, similar to Hawaii and Alaska. To facilitate this transition, Puerto Rico must submit a comprehensive plan of operation to the Secretary of Agriculture within 180 days of designating an agency, with the Secretary providing technical assistance upon request. The Secretary is then required to approve this plan within 180 days if it meets SNAP State plan requirements, followed by a certification to Congress that Puerto Rico qualifies for SNAP. During the transition, the existing consolidated block grant for Puerto Rico may continue for up to five years after the Act's effective date, or until the Secretary determines the transition is complete. The Secretary must also submit annual reports to Congress on the block grant's operation, detailing any funding increases needed for the SNAP transition. Notably, the amendments enabling Puerto Rico's full participation in SNAP will take effect 10 years after the bill's enactment, and after this period, the block grant funds previously allocated to Puerto Rico will be redirected to American Samoa to support its nutrition assistance program.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4967
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-949
Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2023
Sep 8, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5168
Introduced in House
Mar 2, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Mar 2, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4967
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-949
    Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2023


  • September 8, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5168
    Introduced in House


  • March 2, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 2, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (12)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Tim Kaine (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)John Fetterman (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5168: Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted