As the end of the Nebraska legislative session approaches, the legislature has looked over more than 750 bills, with them being passed, defeated, or stalled.
One of the bills that never made it to debate or vote would restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to immigrants and refugees.
The bill would require the state’s department of health and human services to file a waiver for SNAP eligibility changes to the US Department of Agriculture for refugees and immigrants.
The Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated automatic eligibility for SNAP benefits for people who are asylum seekers, refugees, and humanitarian parolees.
Immigrant families with different statuses lost their benefits, pushing them to make difficult decisions on what to pay bills, rent, or food.
Senator Victor Rountree introduced the bill earlier this session and said SNAP is not a permanent solution for families, and sometimes people find themselves in a position where they need some help.
Rountree added that at present, Nebraska is at some of its highest costs ever, making it difficult for immigrant families to thrive.
Like many other bills in the state’s legislature, the proposal was stalled. However, it may be reexamined down the line.
