| HB 77: Annual Federal SNAP State Outreach Plans is scheduled to be heard TOMORROW at 8:30 AM in the House Health & Human Services Committee, Room 309. We need your help to get it passed! Please join the committee hearing in person or virtually tomorrow and provide public comment in support of House Bill 77. In New Mexico, food and community are central to the state’s identity, yet we face some of the highest food insecurity rates in the nation. While the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides essential federal food benefits, many eligible New Mexicans remain unenrolled due to barriers in the application process. For example, just 38% of older adults who qualify for SNAP, actually participate in the program in New Mexico. State SNAP Outreach Programs help bridge this gap by offering federal funds to match non-profit or public funds used for SNAP enrollment and outreach. HB 77 requires the Health Care Authority (HCA) to submit an annual SNAP Outreach Plan to the federal government so that nonprofit organizations, like food banks who do SNAP outreach and enrollment, can seek matching federal funds. This bill ensures federal SNAP benefits are more accessible, especially in communities that face barriers to the traditional application processes, including rural areas and older New Mexicans. HB 77 also eases the burden on state workers who will have more capacity to work cases and ensure timely processing of applications. This bill was endorsed by the New Mexico Legislative Health and Human Services Committee. Lawmakers need to hear from you! Please join us and share a personal story about how community based enrollment and outreach for SNAP would or has impacted you, your community or the community you serve. You can also say something like this: “I urge Representatives to support HB 77, which will leverage federal funding to address the high rates of food insecurity in New Mexico. Community based enrollment is a proven strategy to increase access to federal food assistance while reducing state administrative burdens.”Instructions on how to make public comments at the hearing are below. |
| HB 77 summary: 1. Requires the NM Health Care Authority to submit an annual SNAP Outreach Plan to the federal government, to seek federal funding to match charitable or other funds used for community outreach and enrollment of New Mexicans into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 2. The federal government permits states to submit annual SNAP Outreach Plans to seek federal match for charitable or government funds used for outreach to families who qualify for SNAP. 3. The bill does not mandate any state funds or expansions of what the state currently offers and provides discretion to the HCA as to contents and scope of the plan. Public comment instructions: When: 8:30 AM on Friday, January 31, 2025 How to join the meeting: Click on this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86178202695 Attend in person: House Health and Human Services Committee, Room 309 Join by phone: 1 (669) 444-9171 Webinar ID for HHHSC: 861 7820 2695 What to expect during the hearing: The committee will be taking public comment. The chair of the committee will announce the bill and ask who supports HB 77. At that time, to provide a comment use the Zoom reaction button and raise your hand. The chair will call your name and unmute your Zoom when it is your turn to speak. If you are in the committee room, you can raise your hand in support and wait to be called on.Tips: Keep your remarks brief and to the point.If you have a personal story about how the lack of federal funding for SNAP outreach has impacted you or your family, please share it. Close the Legislature’s webcast page when you give your comment so there is not an echo during your remarks.Make sure you are not muted when you start speaking.Do not rely on your computer or phone for notes. Write them down or print them in case your computer screen freezes.Close other tabs and windows in your browser to make sure your connection is good.If your connection or microphone doesn’t work, be prepared to call in with the information above. Can’t make it at this time? You can call or email members of the Committee today: Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (Chair) Phone: (505) 986-4236 Email: liz.thomson@nmlegis.gov Rep. Pamelya Herndon (Vice Chair) Phone: (505) 986-4233 Email: pamelya.herndon@nmlegis.gov Rep. Jenifer Jones (Ranking Member) Phone: (505) 986-4217 Email: jenifer.jones@nmlegis.gov Rep. Marianna Anaya Phone: (505) 986-4234 Email: marianna.anaya@nmlegis.gov Rep. Kathleen Cates Phone: (505) 986-4219 Email: kathleen.cates@nmlegis.gov Rep. Nicole Chavez Phone: (505) 986-4218 Email: nicole.chavez@nmlegis.gov Rep. Eleanor Chávez Phone: (505) 986-4235 Email: eleanor.chavez@nmlegis.gov Rep. Joanne J. Ferrary Phone: (505) 986-4239 Email: joanne.ferrary@nmlegis.gov Rep. Alan T. Martinez Phone: (505) 986-4219 Email: alan.martinez@nmlegis.gov Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez Phone: (505) 986-4237 Email: elaine.senacortez@nmlegis.gov |