This bill would transition Puerto Rico from its current separate nutrition assistance block grant program to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the same program used in all 50 states. The legislation gives Puerto Rico up to 180 days to submit a transition plan to the Department of Agriculture, which must approve it within another 180 days, followed by congressional certification. During a transition period lasting up to five years, Puerto Rico would continue operating under its existing block grant while implementing SNAP, with the Agriculture Secretary required to submit annual reports on funding needs. The amendments take effect 10 years after enactment, and the bill authorizes whatever funding is necessary to support the transition. This change would make Puerto Rico residents eligible for the same federal nutrition assistance benefits as mainland Americans, addressing long-standing disparities in federal food aid to the territory.
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