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Bill

SR 100

Urges federal government to raise federal poverty line for public assistance programs.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Vin Gopal and 2 co-sponsors

Urges raising the federal poverty line to expand eligibility for federal aid like Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF beyond the outdated 1960s formula.

Filed with Secretary of State
#memorializat #pubassist
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 100

Summary — SR 100: Urges federal government to raise the federal poverty line for public assistance programs

Main purpose

SR 100 is a non‑binding state Senate resolution urging the federal government to raise the federal poverty line (FPL) used to determine eligibility for federal public assistance programs. The resolution argues the current FPL—based on a 1960s food‑based formula adjusted only for inflation—no longer reflects modern costs of housing, transportation, child care, and health care.

Key provisions

  • Formally urges the President and Congress to raise the federal poverty line used to set eligibility thresholds for programs such as Medicaid, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
  • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies of the resolution to the President of the United States, congressional leaders (Speaker and Minority Leader of the House; Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate), and every member of Congress elected from the state.
  • Includes a legislative statement summarizing the rationale, data, and policy concerns motivating the request.

Rationale and supporting data

  • Notes the FPL’s original calculation (1960s) considered only food costs and has not been substantively updated beyond inflation adjustments.
  • Cites that while nearly 53 million households reportedly cannot afford basic necessities (food, housing, health care), only 37.9 million were officially counted as living in poverty in 2022—leaving many needy households ineligible for benefits.
  • Raises concerns about the “benefits cliff”: modest wage increases (including minimum‑wage raises) can push low‑wage workers above FPL thresholds and cause loss of benefits while leaving them worse off financially.
  • Points to COVID‑19 and recent inflation as factors that worsened the cost‑of‑living gap.

Who would be affected

  • This resolution itself does not change law or program eligibility. If its call were heeded by federal policymakers, affected groups could include:
    • Low‑income individuals and households currently above the official FPL but unable to meet basic needs (potentially millions nationwide).
    • Recipients or potential recipients of federal public assistance (Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other means‑tested programs), through expanded eligibility if thresholds are raised.

Procedural status and timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: February 13, 2025.
  • Filed with Secretary of State: (filed/received dates recorded in February–May 2025).
  • Read and adopted by the Senate: recorded readings/adoptions in February–May 2025; reported and adopted as amended (SD1) April 2, 2025.
  • Enrolled and transmitted to Secretary of State: May 16, 2025.
  • Classified as a memorializing resolution (non‑binding).

Sponsors and related measures

  • Primary sponsors include Mike Hodges, RaShaun Kemp, Kenya Wicks, Clint Dixon, Chuck Payne, Greg Dolezal, and many other members (multi‑sponsor measure).
  • Related/companion measures referenced: HR 185, SCR119, AR 131.

Limitations / expected impact

  • SR 100 is a memorializing resolution — it makes a formal request to federal officials but does not change state or federal law, regulations, or program funding.
  • Its impact depends on whether federal policymakers act to revise the poverty measure or adopt alternate metrics (e.g., a Supplemental Poverty Measure or new eligibility rules) that broaden access to assistance.

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

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