Senator Thompson Passes Bill to Strengthen Nutrition Standards Surrounding SNAP off the Senate Floor

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, today passed Senate Bill 1833 off the Senate floor by a 38-to-6 vote, sending the measure to the House of Representatives. 

Senate Bill 1833 is aimed at strengthening Oklahoma’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by promoting healthier food purchases and reducing waste, fraud and abuse.

“This legislation is about ensuring SNAP benefits are used as intended, to help individuals and families access nutritious food while protecting taxpayer dollars,” Senator Thompson said. “We have a responsibility to reduce fraud, waste and abuse while encouraging healthier outcomes. SNAP should be used to help people in need, not as a permanent solution. I appreciate my colleagues who voted on this legislation, and I’m pleased to see it advance. I look forward to working with my House counterparts to continue moving it forward.”

The bill prohibits SNAP benefits from being used to purchase candy, soda and other foods with no inherent nutritional value, while establishing additional oversight to help reduce Oklahoma’s SNAP payment error rate. The error rate measures the accuracy of eligibility determinations and benefit payments. Oklahoma’s error rate currently stands at 10.9%, one of the highest rates in the nation.

Under federal guidelines, states are required to maintain an error rate of no more than 6%. Failure to meet that threshold could result in significant financial penalties, potentially costing the state millions if not addressed.

Under a new federal cost-sharing requirement taking effect in 2028, Oklahoma could be required to cover a portion of SNAP benefit costs if the state’s payment error rate remains too high. Those penalties could exceed $225 million annually.

The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to seek a federal waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service and to implement the program within six months of receiving federal approval.

The measure also requires DHS to submit an annual report to legislative leaders and the governor detailing approval status, SNAP spending patterns and implementation challenges.

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For more information, contact: communications@oksenate.gov.