North Carolina lawmaker introduces bill to restore SNAP administrative funding

State Rep. Bryan Cohn has put forward new legislation to preserve the state’s administration of SNAP by infusing state funds to make up for recent losses in federal funding, according to the North Carolina State House.

Designated as HB 1071 and filed April 28 during the 2025 regular session, the bill’s official short title is: ‘SNAP Funding in Response to H.R. 1.’

Below is our summary of key parts of the proposed law, including interpretation to clarify its meaning.

Main provisions of the bill provide recurring state funding from the 2026-27 fiscal year onward to counteract federal administrative cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under Public Law 119-21. Specifically, it proposes an allocation of $16 million from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Central Management and Support. This amount is to be distributed to department divisions experiencing administrative funding shortfalls for SNAP, but limited to actual loss amounts. The measure also earmarks $69 million for the Division of Social Services to distribute such funds to counties based on their respective amounts of reduced federal aid. The bill sets an implementation date of July 1, 2026.

Among the four sponsors, Monika Johnson-Hostler introduced the largest number of bills (27) during the 2025 regular session.

Legislation in North Carolina undergoes a multi-step path to enactment. A lawmaker first submits a bill, which then is assigned to committees for further consideration. The measure must advance through three separate readings in each chamber. If amendments are made in one chamber after the other has passed the bill, agreement on final language is needed. When both the House and Senate approve identical versions, the legislation moves to the governor, who then has 10 days (or 30 days if the General Assembly is not in session) to either sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

Further information on proposed legislation and related initiatives is available here.

Cohn, a Democrat, secured his seat in the North Carolina State House in 2025 representing the 32nd House district, succeeding former representative Frank Sossamon.