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LB 319

Change eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Danielle Conrad and 1 co-sponsor

LB319 would lift Nebraska's drug-felony SNAP ban, allowing eligibility after sentence completion or during parole/probation. Governor vetoed; override failed, so not law.

Rountree MO259 failed
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Bill Summary · LB 319

Summary — LB 319 (2025)

Title: Change eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Introduced by: Senator Victor Rountree (primary); Senator Conrad (cosponsor)
Introduced: January 16, 2025
Committee: Health and Human Services

Main purpose

LB 319 would remove Nebraska’s disqualification of people with felony drug convictions from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by exercising the state option under federal law (21 U.S.C. § 862 / Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996). Instead of a lifetime ban or a limited modified ban, the bill would make individuals convicted of drug-related felonies eligible for SNAP once they have completed their sentence or while they are serving parole, probation, or post‑release supervision.

Key provisions

  • Directs Nebraska, pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 862, to opt out of the federal provision that permits states to impose a drug-felony disqualification for SNAP.
  • Amends Neb. Rev. Stat. § 68-1017.02 (as amended) to reflect the change in SNAP eligibility (replacement and reorganization of original section language via later amendment AM1176).
  • Explicitly states that persons convicted of a felony involving possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance are eligible for SNAP after sentence completion or during parole/probation/post-release supervision.
  • Includes a repeal provision for prior conflicting language (noted in committee summary as “Sec. 2 – Repealer”).
  • Several floor amendments clarified references to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and adjusted draft language (e.g., AM1176 replaced earlier text; FA71/FA72/FA124/FA125/FA72 technical amendments filed/withdrawn).

Who would be affected

  • Primary effect: individuals in Nebraska with felony convictions for controlled-substance offenses who were previously disqualified (in whole or part) from SNAP.
  • Secondary effects: DHHS administration of SNAP eligibility; potential changes in SNAP caseload, federal reimbursement, and state administrative workload.
  • Advocates (ACLU Nebraska, Nebraska Appleseed, faith groups, law enforcement supporters) testified in favor; DHHS opposed at committee hearing.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Fiscal notes were filed (two versions available: March 4 and May 8, 2025); LB319’s fiscal impact (changes in caseload and federal/state costs) was considered but not summarized in the bill text provided.
  • Legislative actions and final outcome:
    • Advanced from committee (Health & Human Services) after hearing on March 5, 2025.
    • Amendment AM1176 adopted (April 30, 2025).
    • Passed final reading on May 14, 2025 (32–17–0).
    • Presented to Governor May 14, 2025; returned without approval (veto) May 14.
    • Motion to override veto (Rountree MO259) failed May 19, 2025 (24–24–1); therefore the bill did not become law.
  • The record notes that 26 other states have already chosen to opt out of the federal drug-felony SNAP disqualification.

Bottom line

LB 319 sought to eliminate state-imposed SNAP ineligibility for people with drug-felony convictions, aligning Nebraska with many other states by restoring eligibility after sentence completion or during supervision. The Legislature passed the bill, but the governor vetoed it and the attempted override failed, so the measure did not become law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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