Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses a critical need to modernize the technology and security of EBT cards, which are essential for millions of Americans to access food. Currently, many EBT systems rely on older magnetic stripe technology, making them vulnerable to fraud like card skimming. When EBT cards are skimmed, low-income families lose vital food assistance, often without an easy way to recover lost funds, impacting their ability to feed themselves.

If this bill becomes law, it would significantly reduce EBT card fraud by requiring more secure chip technology, similar to what's used for most modern credit and debit cards. It would also improve accessibility and convenience for SNAP recipients by mandating better digital tools, such as mobile apps and transaction alerts, allowing them to better manage their benefits and detect suspicious activity quickly. Without this bill, EBT systems would likely remain vulnerable to fraud, and beneficiaries would continue to face challenges in managing their accounts with outdated tools.

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the federal government to create and regularly update cybersecurity and digital service rules for EBT cards and mobile technologies.

This ensures that EBT card security measures evolve to match modern standards and protect against new threats.

high

Mandates a phased transition for states to issue chip-enabled EBT cards, eventually phasing out magnetic stripe cards entirely.

Chip technology is much more secure than magnetic stripes, significantly reducing the risk of card skimming and fraud.

med

Requires states to offer user-friendly digital interfaces (web portals, mobile apps) for managing EBT accounts, including transaction alerts and access to historical transactions.

This provides SNAP recipients with convenient tools to monitor their benefits, detect fraud quickly, and manage their food assistance effectively.

med

Requires states to offer ways to report fraudulent transactions and notify victims of fraud about potential reimbursements.

This empowers beneficiaries to address fraud and helps ensure they are aware of resources to recover stolen benefits.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

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Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment

Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate initial cybersecurity and digital service regulations.

Every 5 years thereafter

Secretary of Agriculture to review and update cybersecurity and digital service regulations.

Not later than 2 years after the date on which the regulations become final

States must begin issuing chip-enabled EBT cards.

Not later than 4 years after the date on which the regulations become final

States may not issue new EBT cards with magnetic stripes.

Not later than 5 years after the date on which the regulations become final

States must reissue existing valid EBT cards with magnetic stripes as chip-enabled EBT cards without magnetic stripes.

During the 10-year period following the date on which the regulations become final (unless extended)

Secretary must maintain text message, voice telephone service, and a non-digital user interface on the list of required interfaces.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

EBT cards: Electronic Benefit Transfer cards are debit-like cards used by people in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy groceries and other eligible food items.
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
Chip-enabled cards: Payment cards that use a secure embedded microchip for transactions, which is more secure and harder to counterfeit than traditional magnetic stripe cards.
Magnetic stripe cards: Older payment cards that store information on a magnetic strip, which is more vulnerable to fraud like skimming.
Card skimming: A type of fraud where criminals use a device to illegally copy information from a card's magnetic stripe during a transaction.
User interfaces: The ways people interact with a system, such as a website, mobile app, or even a phone service, to manage their EBT account.
API: Application Programming Interface, a set of rules and tools that allows different software programs to communicate and share information with each other.

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

APR 3

Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

COMMITTEE

FEB 24

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 24

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 24

Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

INTROREFERRAL

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Agriculture CommitteeReferred

Feb 24, 2026

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Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

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