Bills · HR 734
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 734Agriculture and Food
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 with respect to the issuance of quality control guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.
INTRO JAN 24· LAST ACTION FEB 28
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- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it introduces more transparency and public involvement into how a major federal food assistance program, SNAP, is managed. Currently, certain operational guidance can be issued by the USDA without a formal public comment period, which means states and the public might not have a chance to weigh in on changes that could significantly affect program administration or recipient requirements.
If this bill becomes law, it ensures that stakeholders—including state governments running the programs and advocacy groups representing recipients—have a guaranteed opportunity to review and provide feedback on significant changes to quality control rules. This could lead to more effective, practical, and broadly supported policies for detecting errors in the SNAP program, potentially reducing unintended consequences for states or recipients. If it doesn't become law, the USDA would retain the discretion to issue such guidance without formal public input, potentially leading to less vetted or more controversial operational changes.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide public notice and a comment period of at least 60 days for any new or updated guidance that proposes substantive changes to quality control reviews for SNAP.
This ensures transparency and allows the public and state agencies to provide input on significant policy changes before they become final.
PROVISION 02
The public comment requirement applies to guidance that is expected to necessitate changes to state agencies' systems, procedures, or staffing related to quality control reviews, or that affects verification requirements for SNAP recipients.
This provision clarifies the scope of the new requirement, focusing on changes with a direct operational or recipient impact.
PROVISION 03
Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to issue interim final guidance in urgent and immediate situations, but only if public notice and comment requirements are simultaneously met.
This provides flexibility for emergencies while still upholding the principle of public engagement.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 0
R· Alabama
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
31
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 28
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
JAN 24
Introduced in House
JAN 24
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 734
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 24, 2025
Last actionFeb 28, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 24, 2025
House BillHR 734Agriculture and Food
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 with respect to the issuance of quality control guidance issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.
INTRODUCED JAN 24, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 28, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
1 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
