The committee recommended advancing House Bill 77, a bill to require the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) to submit an annual Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Presenters said the plan will allow the state to draw federal matching funds to reimburse nonprofit and state SNAP outreach activities and expand community-based assistance for eligible New Mexicans.

Shaney Satriana of the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty told the committee that food insecurity is widespread and that SNAP is underused by eligible older adults. “According to a 2022 report from the AARP, just 38 percent of eligible adults age 50 or older participate in SNAP in New Mexico,” Satriana said. Jason Riggs, director of advocacy and public policy at Roadrunner Food Bank, described Roadrunner’s SNAP outreach program and said the state filed outreach plans for federal fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Riggs said matching funds reimbursed outreach expenses and allowed Roadrunner to expand mobile and community outreach; he said Roadrunner’s outreach led to hundreds of completed SNAP applications and substantial additional federal benefits flowing into the state.

Committee members asked whether the plan is annual (witnesses said yes), what the application timeline is (USDA application typically opens in August), and how matching funds are used (to reimburse outreach budgets). Riggs said Roadrunner tracked detailed data about outreach locations and household characteristics and that outreach staff help complete and submit applications, which HCA then processes.

Witnesses told the committee the HCA has already submitted outreach plans in recent federal fiscal years and that other community organizations are beginning to participate. Judith (Judy) Messell of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in New Mexico spoke in support, emphasizing the bill’s focus on reducing barriers for seniors and other groups.

The committee recorded a due-pass recommendation on House Bill 77 by roll call vote (9–0).