What does Preamble of HR 7316 do?

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It requires the promulgation of cybersecurity regulations. It mandates the implementation of EMV technology. These requirements relate to the use of EBT cards within the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 7316 do?

This bill is formally titled the SNAP Payment Security and Fraud Prevention Act of 2026.

What does EXPANDED INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF of HR 7316 do?

This section amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the investigative authority of the Department of Agriculture's Inspector General. The Inspector General gains authority to investigate and coordinate efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute theft, misuse, or fraudulent accessing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This authority includes investigating cyber-enabled benefit theft, such as skimming, cloning, and phishing. The Inspector General can issue subpoenas, execute warrants, and initiate referrals. Coordination is authorized with various agencies including the Department of Justice, the FBI, and State and local law enforcement. The Inspector General can request data from State EBT processors and vendors. The Secretary of Agriculture can issue rules and allocate funds to support the Inspector General's activities.

What does CIVIL PENALTY FOR THEFT OF SNAP BENEFITS. of HR 7316 do?

This section amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to establish a civil penalty for the theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Individuals who knowingly access, use, or transfer SNAP benefits without authorization are liable for a civil penalty. The penalty amount is twice the value of the benefits lost due to the unauthorized conduct. The Secretary can assess and enforce the penalty through an administrative proceeding or a civil action. Recovered funds will be used to reimburse affected households and cover the costs of the Department of Agriculture's Inspector General's investigative authority. The civil penalty is in addition to any other civil or criminal penalties.

What does ENHANCED CYBERSECURITY FOR EBT CARDS. of HR 7316 do?

This section amends Section 7(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to address cybersecurity of EBT cards. The Secretary is required to promulgate and periodically review cybersecurity and digital service regulations for EBT cards and mobile payments. These regulations must ensure cybersecurity measures keep pace with industry standards and Federal agency requirements. States must operate user interfaces that allow households to manage their EBT accounts, with web-based portals being mobile friendly. User interfaces must provide information in required languages, be available a high percentage of the time, and include features specified by the Secretary. The Secretary will maintain a list of required user interfaces, including a web-based portal and a mobile application, with an API for third-party software. States must provide timely electronic notice of transactions and access to historical transaction data to households. States are prohibited from requiring PIN or password changes inconsistent with NIST standards. The Secretary must collect and publish data on user interface availability and cybersecurity measures adopted by states. A public report will be submitted to Congress every two years, evaluating cybersecurity effectiveness, identifying trends in benefit theft, and examining usability issues.

What does ENSURING NO LOSS OF ACCESS TO BENEFITS DUE TO EBT CARD DAMAGE, of HR 7316 do?

This section amends Section 7(h)(7) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The amendment requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations ensuring households do not lose access to benefits due to EBT card damage, loss, or fraud. States must provide replacement EBT cards within 3 business days of a household's request. States may offer, but cannot require, in-person collection of replacement EBT cards.

What does NO REPLACEMENT FEES FOR CERTAIN EBT CARDS. of HR 7316 do?

This section amends Section 7(h)(8)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. It modifies the ability of State agencies to collect charges for replacement EBT cards. Generally, State agencies are restricted from charging for EBT card replacements. Exceptions to this restriction exist beginning 60 days after the effective date of the clause. A State agency may not charge for a replacement if it's due to card malfunction, suspected fraud by an outside party, expiration, or required replacement following regulations.

What does REQUIREMENT FOR RETAILER USE OF CHIP-ENABLED PAYMENT TERMINALS of HR 7316 do?

This section amends Section 9(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The amendment changes the language to specify that the Secretary shall issue regulations. It adds a new paragraph (5) to Section 9(a) regarding chip-enabled payment terminals. Retail food stores and wholesale food concerns seeking authorization or reauthorization to accept SNAP benefits must have chip-enabled payment terminals. This requirement will take effect no later than 180 days after the finalization of regulations promulgated pursuant to section 7(h)(15)(B)(i).

What does REPORT. of HR 7316 do?

This section requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report on the security of EBT cards issued in Puerto Rico. The report must be submitted to specified congressional committees and made publicly available on the Department of Agriculture's website. The report should assess the resistance of EBT cards to cloning and, if appropriate, provide recommendations for improving system security. The report may include a restricted annex with classified or law enforcement-sensitive information.

What does CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. of HR 7316 do?

This section amends Section 501 of division HH of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (7 U.S.C. 2016a). Within subsection (a), paragraphs (1) and (2) are struck, and paragraphs (3) through (5) are redesignated as (1) through (3). Subparagraph (C) of redesignated paragraph (3) is struck, and subparagraph (D) is redesignated as (C). In subsection (b), changes are made to paragraph (1), including striking text in subparagraph (A)(vi) and adding/striking text in subparagraphs (B) and (C). Subparagraph (D) of paragraph (1) in subsection (b) is struck. In paragraph (3) of subsection (b), 'subsection (a)(3)' is replaced with 'subsection (a)(1)'.

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SNAP Payment Security and Fraud Prevention Act of 2026 — HR. 7316

Last updated: 2/2/2026 · Introduced: 2/2/2026

Author: Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the Department of Agriculture's Inspector General's authority to investigate and prevent SNAP benefit theft, including cyber-enabled fraud.
It establishes a civil penalty of twice the value of stolen benefits for individuals who knowingly access or use SNAP benefits without authorization.
The bill mandates enhanced cybersecurity regulations for EBT cards and mobile payments, requiring states to provide user-friendly interfaces and timely transaction notifications.
States must provide replacement EBT cards within three business days and generally cannot charge fees for replacements due to malfunction, fraud, or expiration.
Retailers accepting SNAP benefits will be required to use chip-enabled payment terminals to improve payment security.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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