HR5168-119

What This Bill Does

The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act amends the Food and Nutrition Act so Puerto Rico is treated like a SNAP state for core definitions, eligibility provisions, and thrifty food plan adjustments. Once Puerto Rico designates an administering agency, the Commonwealth has 180 days to submit a plan of operation to transition from its consolidated nutrition block grant to SNAP. USDA must provide training and technical assistance on request during that period, approve a compliant plan within 180 days of receipt, or provide a detailed disapproval statement within 30 days. If the plan is approved, USDA submits a certification report to Congress and the statutory amendments take effect 30 days later. USDA may continue Puerto Rico's most recent consolidated block grant for up to five years, or until USDA determines the block grant is no longer needed for the transition, with annual congressional reports and funding-increase information. The bill also revises section 19 block-grant language so, after Puerto Rico exits the block grant transition, American Samoa receives 0.4 percent of the adjusted aggregate amount and 100 percent federal payment for its nutrition assistance expenditures, subject to appropriations. It authorizes such sums as necessary through the transition period.

Who Benefits and How

Puerto Rico households using nutrition assistance benefit because the bill creates a path from a capped block grant to SNAP participation. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico nutrition officials benefit from USDA technical assistance and a plan-approval process for SNAP transition. American Samoa Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries benefit from a post-transition funding formula tied to 0.4 percent of the adjusted aggregate amount. USDA Food and Nutrition Service staff benefit from statutory direction for managing the transition, certification, and annual reporting.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico nutrition officials must designate an agency, submit a SNAP plan within 180 days, and operate during the transition. USDA Food and Nutrition Service staff must provide training, review the plan, certify approval to Congress, run annual reports, and manage block-grant wind-down. Federal taxpayers bear the cost of such sums as necessary and any SNAP funding increase needed for Puerto Rico's transition. American Samoa program administrators must operate under a revised funding formula after the Puerto Rico transition period ends.

Key Provisions

• Adds Puerto Rico to Food and Nutrition Act definitions and SNAP-related eligibility provisions.
• Requires Puerto Rico to submit a SNAP plan of operation within 180 days after designating an administering agency.
• Directs USDA to provide technical assistance and approve or detail deficiencies in the plan within statutory deadlines.
• Authorizes a five-year transition from Puerto Rico's consolidated block grant to SNAP with annual reports.
• Modifies American Samoa nutrition assistance funding after Puerto Rico leaves the block grant framework.