by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy
State Updates
Legislative session is quickly springing forward. Between committee deadlines, Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol, and some surprising changes to the upcoming Congressional midterm elections, there’s a lot to cover. Below is an updated list of the top bills we are tracking this session. Any bills labelled as “dead” means they are no longer viable to move forward this session.
Still Active:
- HB 2984 by Rep. Gise: Originally directed OKDHS to request a waiver to restrict Oklahoma SNAP users’ EBT to only be used in Oklahoma; Was amended to direct OKDHS to publish an annual report on program integrity and payment accuracy in the childcare subsidy program. Set on the House Floor agenda 3/12/2026.
- HB 3638 by Rep. Gise & Sen. Thompson: Requires Oklahoma to participate in the federal Summer EBT program. Passed the House 3/11/2026
- HB 4422 by Speaker Hilbert & Pro Tem Paxton: Requires immigration status checks for SNAP and TANF. Passed the House 2/26/2026, received in the Senate.
- HB 4423 by Speaker Hilbert & Pro Tem Paxton: Requires immigration status checks for Medicaid and reporting when status cannot be verified. Passed the House 2/26/2026, received in the Senate.
- SB 1833 by Sen. Thompson & Rep. West: Requires Oklahoma to continue participating in the SNAP purchasing restrictions waiver and allows for additional items to be added to the waiver. Passed Senate Health & Human Services 2/9/2026.
- SB 1895 by Sen. Reinhardt & Rep. Moore: Requires eligible school districts to notify OSDE if they decide not to participate in CEP. Passed Senate Education 3/3/2026
- SB 2061 by Sen. Nice & Rep. Grego: Creates the Oklahoma Food Policy Council and establishes membership, duties, and reporting requirements. Passed Senate Ag & Wildlife 2/9/2026.
Now Inactive:
- HB 3032 by Rep. Lowe: Requires all school districts to provide and require the completion of a form for free or reduced-price meals upon enrollment and re-enrollment. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- HB 3490 by Rep. McCane: Provides a sales tax exemption and related identification card to SNAP participants. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- HB 3597 by Rep. Lepak: Prohibits undocumented immigrants from accessing SNAP and Medicaid benefits. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- HB 4110 by Rep. Ford: Directs the creation of a verification platform to be operated statewide for oversight of SNAP by OKDHS and a related Corrections Transparency Overlay system under the Dept. of Corrections. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 1253 by Sen. Bergstrom: Adjusts standards for eligibility under the SNAP program (specifically work requirements) to match related federal guidelines. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 1299 by Sen. Bergstrom: Directs OKDHS to request waiver for additional SNAP purchasing restrictions. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 1310 by Sen. Bergstrom: Links OKDHS executive compensation to SNAP payment error rates, restricts offsetting pay increases, establishes employee incentive fund. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 1373 by Sen. Reinhardt: Creates no cost meals for all students and includes minimum meal quality and lunchtime standards. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 1374 by Sen. Reinhardt: Creates a state-funded incentive for eligible schools to participate in Community Eligibility Provision and provide meals at no cost to all students. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 1547 by Sen. Gillespie: Requires Oklahoma Medicaid participants to meet certain community engagement requirements. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 1554 by Sen. Grellner: Prohibits nonprofits from knowingly or recklessly providing services to undocumented immigrants and declares entities in violation to be ineligible for funds and officers of such orgs liable for criminal fines and penalties. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
- SB 2022 by Sen. Standridge: Limits OKDHS from participating in any federal option that expands SNAP eligibility. Dead – not passed from committee by the deadline.
Have questions or concerns about any of the above legislation? Send an email to Bailey Ashbaker.
Federal Updates
On Thursday, March 5, the House Agriculture Committee voted 34–17 to report Chairman G.T. Thompson’s (R-PA) Farm Bill out of committee. This Farm Bill fails to reverse the unprecedented over $187 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cuts within the budget reconciliation law, H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Advocates across the nation continue to push to delay SNAP changes included in H.R. 1. Without Congressional action, the SNAP cost shift based on a state’s error rate takes effect in FFY 28 (October 2027) and is based on measurements of errors for October 2025 – September 2026.
The White House is planning to roll out President Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027 (FY 2027) sometime during the week of March 30.
On February 23, 2026, USDA issued a Request for Information to gather feedback on its statistical data, research, and economic analysis provided by Economic Research Service (ERS), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and the Office of the Chief Economist. The deadline for comments is April 9, 2026.
As a reminder, it’s an election year! Recently, President Trump announced his intent to appoint Senator Markwayne Mullin as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Senator Mullin must still be confirmed by Congress before officially assuming the appointment. That means Senator Mullin’s seat will be open to newcomer candidates. Congressman Kevin Hern (CD-1) has already announced his intent to run for Senator Mullin’s vacant seat, alongside a slew of other rumored candidates. This also means Congressman Kevin Hern’s seat will be open in 2026 as well. Visit the Oklahoma Voter Portal to register to vote or check your registration, view election dates, and find your polling place.
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