H.R. 2811 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, Apr 10, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLets states hire contractors for SNAP work
When a state's SNAP office gets overwhelmed—whether from a surge in applications, a pandemic, seasonal staffing changes, or natural disasters—this bill lets them bring in outside contractors to help handle the load. The contractors work alongside regular staff and can't replace existing state employees. States have to tell the U.S. Department of Agriculture when they hire a contractor and explain why they need help, and that information gets posted publicly.
How it affects you
If you apply for food assistance through SNAP during a time when your state office is short-staffed or facing an emergency, this bill could speed up how fast your application gets processed, since states can bring in extra help. States have to stay transparent about when and why they're hiring contractors, so you'll be able to see that information online.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Apr 10, 2025)
SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2025
This bill allows a state agency to hire a contractor to perform Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification or other state functions for SNAP under certain conditions.
Specifically, a state agency may hire a contractor when the state experiences an increase in SNAP applications or an inability to timely process such applications from causes that include (1) pandemics and other health emergencies, (2) seasonal workforce cycles, (3) temporary staffing shortages, and (4) weather or other natural disasters. The bill includes specific parameters for a state agency that hires a contractor based on temporary staffing shortages.
A contractor hired under this bill must be part of a blended workforce and may not supplant existing merit-based personnel in the state.
Further, a state agency must notify the Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the intent to hire a contractor and provide any information or data supporting state agency increases in SNAP applications or the inability to timely process applications. USDA must make the notification and accompanying information publicly available on the USDA website.
Finally, USDA must submit an annual report to Congress that includes specific information and recommendations, including information on the measures taken by USDA to address increases in SNAP applications.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 2811
A BILL
SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) · Introduced Apr 10, 2025 · Agriculture and Food · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 10, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.”