Bill
SF 849
SF 849 appropriates funds to enhance SNAP outreach, aiming to increase awareness and enrollment for eligible Minnesotans and reduce access barriers.
SF 849 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Outreach Program appropriation
Session: 2025-2026 | Jurisdiction: Minnesota
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to appropriate state funds to support an outreach program for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The central aim is to increase awareness, enrollment, and participation in SNAP among eligible Minnesotans, with a focus on reducing barriers to access and ensuring eligible individuals receive benefits.
Key provisions and changes
- Appropriation for SNAP Outreach: The bill designates state dollars (specific dollar amount not provided in the summary) to be used specifically for outreach activities related to SNAP. This typically includes public information campaigns, enrollment assistance, and partnership activities to connect eligible residents with SNAP benefits.
- Outreach activities: Authorized activities commonly associated with SNAP outreach programs may include targeted outreach to underserved communities, multilingual outreach, community partner collaborations, and assistance with the application and renewal processes.
- Coordination and administration: The bill likely specifies that the Department of Human Services (or the relevant administering agency) will oversee the SNAP outreach program, coordinate with state and local agencies, and report on program progress and outcomes. While exact reporting requirements aren’t enumerated in the summary, such bills typically require annual or periodic reporting on enrollment numbers, outreach metrics, and expenditures.
- Eligibility and targeting: The bill’s framework generally supports reaching individuals who are eligible for SNAP but not enrolled. It may include provisions encouraging enrollment among families with children, elderly and disabled populations, and other groups with historically lower participation rates.
- Sunset/continuing authority: The summary does not indicate a sunset date, but many appropriation bills include a specific funding period (e.g., a fiscal year or multiple years) or a continuing appropriation contingent on annual budgeting processes.
Who would be affected
- Eligible SNAP-eligible Minnesotans: Individuals and households who qualify for SNAP but are not enrolled or under-enrolled would benefit from enhanced outreach and enrollment assistance.
- Local communities and service providers: Nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and local agencies partnering on outreach and enrollment efforts could receive funding or be contracted to deliver outreach activities.
- Minnesota Department of Human Services and state agencies: Responsible for administering the outreach program, coordinating with partners, and producing performance reports.
Procedural and timeline aspects
- Introduction and referral: Introduced January 30, 2025, and referred to Health and Human Services the same day, indicating initial committee consideration by the HHS policy area.
- Author and sponsor actions: Author added Boldon on March 9, 2026; additional co-sponsors listed (Kupec, Abeler, Port, Maye Quade), signaling broad legislative support across party lines.
- Next steps: The bill would move through committee hearings in the Health and Human Services committee (and potentially other committees) for consideration of appropriations language, fiscal impact, and any policy clarifications before floor action and potential passage.
Notes
- Specific dollar amounts, funding duration, reporting metrics, and detailed eligibility criteria are not provided in the summary available. The final text would clarify the exact appropriation level, duration, and reporting requirements.
Overall assessment
- SF 849 focuses on strengthening SNAP participation through targeted outreach funded by state appropriations, aiming to streamline enrollment, reduce barriers, and improve outcomes for eligible Minnesotans. It aligns with efforts to improve access to nutrition benefits and support low-income households.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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