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LC 1226

Generally revise Montana SNAP program laws

2025 Regular Session

Montana LC 1226 aims to generally revise SNAP laws, reshaping eligibility, benefits, and administration for recipients and state agencies statewide.

(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
#appropriations(seealso:statefinance) #rulemaking #socialservices
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Bill Summary · LC 1226

Summary of Montana Bill LC 1226: Generally revise Montana SNAP program laws

Overview

  • Bill Number: LC 1226
  • Title: Generally revise Montana SNAP program laws
  • Purpose (as stated by title): To generally revise the laws governing the Montana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The exact policy changes are not provided in the available information.
  • Status: Draft LC (Draft Ready for Delivery)
  • Introduced: November 12, 2024
  • Classification/Subjects: Appropriations (State Finance), Rule Making, Social Services

Legislative History and Status Timeline

  • 2024-11-12: Drafter Assigned
  • 2025-03-25: Draft in Legal Review; Draft in Edit
  • 2025-03-25–03-26: Draft in Input/Proofing; Final Drafter Review
  • 2025-03-26: Draft in Assembly; Draft Ready for Delivery
  • Current status (as of the latest actions): LC draft prepared and ready for delivery to the legislature, with the draft moving through standard review and assembly steps.

Scope and Affected Parties

  • Affects Montana’s SNAP program and related statutory framework.
  • Potentially impacts:
    • Montana Department responsible for SNAP administration (e.g., eligibility determinations, benefits issuance, program integrity).
    • SNAP recipients and households participating in the program.
    • County or state human services offices administering SNAP.
    • SNAP retailers and service providers, to the extent administrative or eligibility changes affect operations.
  • Because the specific provisions are not included in the information provided, the exact groups and stakeholders affected are not yet identifiable beyond the general SNAP ecosystem.

Key Provisions and Changes (Not yet specified)

  • The bill’s text would define the substantive changes to Montana SNAP law. At this time, the exact provisions, such as:
    • Eligibility criteria and asset/income limits
    • Benefit calculation and issuance
    • Administration, compliance, and program integrity measures
    • State plan amendments to federal SNAP requirements
    • Rulemaking authority and process
    • Funding and appropriations for implementing changes
    • Timelines, reporting, and performance metrics are not specified in the information provided.
  • Once the draft text is released, a section-by-section analysis can be prepared highlighting: what changes are mandatory, what is permissive, and what administrative procedures are affected.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill is in the drafting phase and moving through standard legislative steps (legal review, editing, input/proofing, assembly) with a target of delivery to the legislature.
  • After delivery, expected steps typically include committee referral, public hearings, possible amendments, and floor votes.
  • Budgetary and rulemaking implications may involve fiscal notes and interactions with state finance and DPHHS rulemaking processes.

Potential Impacts to Watch

  • Recipient eligibility, benefit levels, or enrollment processes.
  • Administrative workload and efficiency for state and local offices.
  • Alignment with federal SNAP requirements and any required state plan amendments.
  • Funding requirements for implementing any policy changes.

Next Steps for Stakeholders

  • Monitor the release of the full LC 1226 text for precise policy changes.
  • Review accompanying fiscal notes and draft administrative rules.
  • Prepare for committee hearings and potential public input.
  • Track timelines for delivery, amendments, and final adoption.

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

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