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HF 796

Members of public safety policy and finance committees required to participate in ride alongs with law enforcement or fire departments, reports required, and adoption of legislative rules required.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Myers and 4 co-sponsors

Provide a $1M grant to expand Double Up Food Bucks for SNAP participants and pursue a waiver to restrict SNAP foods to a defined set of healthy items.

Author added Zeleznikar
#fireandfirefighters #lawenforcement #legislature
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 796

Summary — HF 796 (Introduced March 5, 2025)

Note on document discrepancy
- The bill title provided refers to public safety committee members participating in police/fire “ride alongs,” but the bill text included in the submission concerns SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) policy and funding for the “Double Up Food Bucks” program. This summary is based on the actual bill text provided (SNAP / Double Up Food Bucks content).

Main purpose

The bill seeks to (1) provide a one-time supplemental appropriation to expand the Double Up Food Bucks program in Minnesota to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for SNAP participants, and (2) direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to request a federal waiver allowing Minnesota to restrict state-administered SNAP-eligible foods to a defined set of “healthy” foods.

Key provisions

  • Appropriation: A $1,000,000 supplemental general‑fund appropriation to the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal year 2025–2026 to provide grants supporting the Double Up Food Bucks program.
  • Grant match requirement: Each grant recipient must provide at least a dollar‑for‑dollar match of the grant funds.
  • Program administration: Grants are to support the Double Up Food Bucks program (as described in the bill) to make fresh fruits and vegetables sold at farmers markets, grocery stores, and other participating locations more accessible to SNAP recipients.
  • Federal waiver request: HHS must request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) to allow state administration of SNAP that limits eligible foods to those defined as necessary for good health — examples listed include healthy grains, dairy, meat, eggs, peanut butter and nuts, pasta, rice, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Effective date for appropriation: The supplemental appropriation takes effect only on the date HHS receives federal approval of the SNAP waiver (if the waiver is approved).

Who would be affected

  • SNAP participants in Minnesota (potentially increased access to fruits/vegetables; possible limits on other food purchases if waiver approved).
  • Farmers markets, grocery stores, and participating retailers (eligibility for Double Up incentives; potential changes in SNAP-eligible inventory and redemption rules).
  • Grant recipients and local program partners (must provide matching funds).
  • Minnesota HHS (responsible for grant administration and pursuing the federal waiver).
  • USDA FNS (would need to approve any state-level restriction on SNAP-eligible foods).

Fiscal and legal considerations / impacts

  • Direct state cost: $1 million (FY2025–2026), contingent on federal waiver approval.
  • Local leverage: Required dollar-for-dollar matching could double program resources if matches are secured.
  • Legal/administrative hurdle: Restricting SNAP-eligible foods requires a USDA FNS waiver; implementation depends on federal approval and could raise legal and program‑integrity questions if pursued.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: March 5, 2025; referred to Appropriations.
  • Subcommittee activity and amendments occurred mid‑March 2025; renumbered as HF 970 by committee report (March 20, 2025).
  • Committee report recommended passage (committee vote: 14 yeas, 8 nays, 3 excused).
  • Withdrawn: March 31, 2025.
  • Companion bill: SF 1733.

If you want, I can produce a brief comparison of this bill’s proposed SNAP-eligibility changes to current federal SNAP rules, or draft a one-page explainer for community partners on how the Double Up grant component would work.

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

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