LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky lawmakers introduced a bill to protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in case they are stopped or delayed by the federal government.
SNAP benefits became a major topic last year as funding was interrupted during the government shutdown, causing a lapse in payments to recipients.
Bills filed in the Kentucky House and Senate would establish a process for the governor to intervene and prevent interruptions in food assistance.
Rep. Anne Gay Donworth, D-Fayette, introduced House Bill 522 on Thursday. Louisville Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Jefferson, filed Senate Bill 135, also on Thursday.
The legislation would allow the governor to "authorize limited use of moneys in the budget reserve trust fund" to allow SNAP to continue should it lapse. It would also require that funding to be repaid within 90 days of federal appropriations being restored.
In his seventh State of the Commonwealth address earlier this month, Gov. Andy Beshear outlined his budget proposal as lawmakers begin work on a new two-year state budget.
One proposal addresses cuts to SNAP benefits for 114,000 Kentuckians by President Donald Trump's administration. Beshear's budget would provide $50 million to help food banks across the state.
The federal food program serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households. They receive an average of around $190 monthly per person, though that doesn't necessarily cover the full cost of groceries for a regular month.
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