SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025
SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would increase federal funding for state SNAP (food assistance) programs by requiring the federal government to pay 100% of state administrative costs instead of the current 50%. It would also mandate that SNAP administrators in each state earn at least as much as comparable federal employees. Currently, states split these administrative expenses with the federal government, which can make it difficult to attract and retain qualified staff. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects state SNAP agencies and their employees, as well as the people who rely on SNAP benefits.
By making these administrative positions more competitive in pay and better funded, the bill aims to improve how efficiently SNAP programs operate. Taxpayers would see increased federal spending on these programs. **Key Provisions:** States must use the additional federal funds to create new administrative positions (beyond those existing in 2024) or supplement existing staff—not to replace current state funding. The bill ensures funds go toward hiring, training, and maintaining personnel while meeting federal wage standards. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet advanced to a floor vote.
CRS Official Summary
SNAP Administrator Retention Act of 2025This bill directs the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to pay Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) state agencies for 100% of SNAP administrative personnel costs. The bill also requires that state SNAP agency administrators be paid at least the same amount as federal employees. (Under current law, FNS generally pays 50% of a state's administrative costs for SNAP.)Specifically, FNS must pay a state agency for 100% of all SNAP administrative personnel costs that are part of an FNS-approved state agency personnel wage plan. This must include all costs associated with hiring and training new employees, maintaining those personnel costs, and complying with wage standards. The state agency must use these funds (1) to supplement, not supplant, nonfederal funds used for existing administrative personnel costs; and (2) for existing or additional full-time positions that are above the number of positions that were held in FY2024.The bill also requires that the wage standards for SNAP state agency administrators be (1) at least the same amount as the General Schedule (GS) pay rate for federal employees; and (2) updated annually based on any increase in the GS pay rate, including locality adjustments.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.