Requires the establishment and carrying out of a program to supplement the available food supply for certain persons in certain circumstances. (BDR 38-1103)

2025 Regular Session

AB 474 would create a state Surplus Food Assistance Program to identify and redirect surplus food to SNAP recipients, funded by a $5 million appropriation and nonreverting account.

(No further action taken.)

Main purpose

AB 474 would have required Nevada’s Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish a program to identify surplus food and redirect it to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at a discount, with special emphasis on reducing food waste and improving access for seniors.

Key provisions

Program establishment: DWSS must, to the extent money is available, create and operate a surplus-food program for SNAP recipients that uses mechanisms (including technology) to identify and redirect surplus food to areas of greater need.

Plan requirements: The Division’s program plan must include systems to (1) reduce food waste via technology-driven redirection of surplus food, (2) reduce food insecurity for SNAP recipients, and (3) increase food access for senior recipients.

Federal authorization: The bill (as amended) requires DWSS/DHHS to take necessary steps to obtain any required federal authorizations or waivers to implement the program.

Surplus Food Assistance Account: Creates a dedicated account in the State General Fund, administered by the DWSS Administrator. The Administrator may accept gifts, grants, bequests, donations, or other funds; interest earned remains in the account. Money in the account must be used only for the program and does not revert to the General Fund at fiscal year-end.

Appropriation: A one-time appropriation of $5,000,000 from the State General Fund to the Surplus Food Assistance Account to carry out the program.

Effective date: The bill would become effective upon passage and approval (if enacted).

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: SNAP recipients in Nevada, with particular emphasis on senior citizens receiving SNAP.

State agencies: DWSS and DHHS (administration, planning, seeking federal approvals).

Food system stakeholders: grocery retailers, food banks, food rescue organizations, and nonprofit distributors—both potential partners and entities that expressed concerns about overlap or disruption.

Local government: no direct local-government fiscal effect reported; however, program implementation could interact with local food-assistance networks.

Fiscal and procedural notes

Fiscal: Bill contains a $5,000,000 appropriation not included in the Executive Budget; created a nonreverting account for program funds.

Legislative history (selected): Introduced Feb 6, 2025; went through multiple committee amendments and reprints, including adding a requirement to seek federal waivers. Passed both houses (final Senate concurrence documented Sept 10–22, 2025). Vetoed by the Governor Oct 1, 2025; consideration of the veto was pending as of that date.

Sponsor: Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.

Potential impacts and debate points

Potential benefits: could increase access to lower-cost food for SNAP recipients, reduce food waste, and use technology to target areas of higher need—especially aiding seniors with limited budgets.

Concerns raised: major Nevada food banks cautioned the measure could duplicate or disrupt established food-rescue systems, may not address transportation or other access barriers (especially for seniors), and assumes SNAP recipients can make discounted purchases even when they lack funds or mobility. Practical implementation depends on federal approvals and coordination with existing nonprofit networks.

Status: Passed Legislature but vetoed by the Governor (Oct 1, 2025).

Bill