An Act to Provide Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to Temporarily Restore Benefits Being Reduced by the Federal Government (AFTER DEADLINE)
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1584
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: STOVER, VITELLI, CLOUTIER, GRAHAM, GRAMLICH, MEYER, MILLETT, PLUECKER, TALBOT ROSS, BRENNER

Legislative Document
No. 1584
H.P. 1029
House of Representatives, April 11, 2023
An Act to Provide Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program to Temporarily Restore Benefits Being Reduced 
by the Federal Government
(AFTER DEADLINE)
(EMERGENCY)
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
205.
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative STOVER of Boothbay.
Cosponsored by Senator VITELLI of Sagadahoc and
Representatives: CLOUTIER of Lewiston, GRAHAM of North Yarmouth, GRAMLICH of 
Old Orchard Beach, MEYER of Eliot, MILLETT of Waterford, PLUECKER of Warren, 
Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland, Senator: BRENNER of Cumberland.
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government increased the 
level of benefits available under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 
or SNAP; and
Whereas, those extended benefits are scheduled to expire March 1, 2023; and
Whereas, due to rising costs of food and other necessities of living, the sudden 
termination of these benefits creates a crisis for families that depend on the extended 
benefits; and
Whereas, in order to avoid that crisis, the level of benefits under SNAP needs to be 
restored as soon as possible and recipients given a chance to adjust to a lower level of 
benefits; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
Food Supplement Administration Z019
Initiative: Provides a one-time appropriation for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program benefit payments to continue for 6 months, replacing the expiring COVID-19 
emergency benefit allotments under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act. 
The one-time appropriation will allow for an extension to the emergency benefits 
previously provided by the Federal Government with General Fund funding for the 
following 6 months of 2023 at the following levels: March, 100% of the previous federal 
emergency benefit level; April, 75% of the previous federal emergency benefit level; May, 
50% of the previous federal emergency benefit level; and June through August, 25% of the 
previous federal emergency benefit level.
GENERAL FUND
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
All Other
$48,000,000
$9,600,000
$0
__________
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$48,000,000
$9,600,000
$0
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
Under the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Federal Government 
provided emergency benefit allotments under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program, or SNAP.  These emergency benefit allotments are scheduled to expire March 1, 
2023.
This bill extends for 6 months, but on a decreasing basis, the amount of benefits 
available under SNAP by providing General Fund funds to provide the following level of 
benefits:
1. In March 2023, 100% of the federal emergency benefit allotment;
2. In April 2023, 75% of the federal emergency benefit allotment;
3. In May 2023, 50% of the federal emergency benefit allotment; and
4. From June through August 2023, 25% of the federal emergency benefit allotment.
Beginning in September 2023, an additional amount is not provided.