Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)
SNAP Payment Security and Fraud Prevention Act of 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SNAP Payment Security and Fraud Prevention Act of 2026 aims to update the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to enhance EBT card security. It expands the investigative authority of the USDA Inspector General to prevent and prosecute benefit theft and cyber-enabled fraud. The bill requires the implementation of chip-enabled EMV technology for EBT cards and mandates that retail food stores use chip-enabled payment terminals. It also establishes new cybersecurity regulations for digital services and mobile payments. Additionally, the act introduces civil penalties for those who unauthorizedly access or transfer SNAP benefits. Finally, it ensures households have reliable access to benefits even when cards are lost, damaged, or stolen.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill protects SNAP benefits from theft and ensures quick access to funds when cards are lost or stolen.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill mandates chip-enabled EBT technology and new cybersecurity regulations to prevent digital theft and skimming.
- Scored +4
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill implements enhanced security protocols and user interface controls to protect household benefit accounts.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Retail food stores must invest in chip-enabled payment terminals to participate in the SNAP program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Fraud Investigation: The USDA Inspector General will have full authority to investigate and coordinate efforts to prevent and prosecute theft, including cyber-siphoning like skimming and phishing (Section 2).
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Strict Penalties for Thieves: Any person who knowingly uses or transfers SNAP benefits without authorization faces a civil penalty equal to twice the value of the stolen benefits (Section 3).
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Recovery of Lost Funds: Funds recovered from civil penalties will be used to offset the cost of reimbursing households for lost benefits (Section 3).
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Improved Card Security: States will be required to issue chip-enabled EBT cards to provide more secure, clone-resistant payments (Section 4).
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Enhanced Digital Tools: Households will have access to digital user interfaces to manage accounts, receive timely electronic transaction notices, and search historical transactions (Section 4).
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Fraud Protection Features: New features will allow households to freeze or unfreeze accounts and use virtual card numbers for online transactions to increase security (Section 4).
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Guaranteed Access During Disruptions: If a card is damaged, lost, or stolen, states must ensure a replacement card is provided within 3 business days (Section 5).
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No Fees for Necessary Replacements: States are prohibited from charging replacement fees if the card is malfunctioning, expired, or being replaced due to fraud (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Civil Penalties for Unauthorized Use: Individuals who knowingly access or transfer benefits without authorization are liable for a civil penalty of twice the value of the benefits (Section 3).
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Mandatory Technology Changes: States must eventually phase out magnetic stripe cards in favor of chip-enabled cards, which includes a requirement to reissue existing cards (Section 4).
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Compliance Burdens: The bill notes that the Secretary must evaluate the compliance burden borne by individual benefit recipients during the evaluation of cybersecurity regulations (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill protects SNAP benefits from theft and ensures quick access to funds when cards are lost or stolen. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Enhanced digital security and fraud protection help secure the benefits often utilized by seniors. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill improves the digital security of payment systems used in urban retail environments.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill mandates chip-enabled EBT technology and new cybersecurity regulations to prevent digital theft and skimming.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill implements enhanced security protocols and user interface controls to protect household benefit accounts.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The Secretary is required to publish data on system availability and cybersecurity measures on a public website.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill protects SNAP benefits from theft and ensures households can quickly access replacement funds if fraud occurs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Retail food stores must invest in chip-enabled payment terminals to participate in the SNAP program.
- 3/20/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
- 2/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Introduced in House