Assembly Unanimously Passes Nevada SNAP Bill, SB 3, Now Heads to Governor’s Desk

CARSON CITY, NV - Senate Bill 3 (SB3) unanimously passed the Nevada Assembly Floor today, following its passage in the Nevada Senate on Thursday. This measure seeks to establish the Silver State General Assistance Program, which would serve as a backup fund in the event of future SNAP interruptions due to government shutdowns.

Andrew Clarke, Revenue Coalition Manager on behalf of New Day Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Thank you to the Nevada Assembly for choosing to invest in the best return on investment there is: feeding families. While the Trump administration serves its base a steady diet of callous indifference, Nevada’s legislative leaders have taken an important first step toward a better, more responsible path.

This program is a down payment on repairing the $9.5 billion in federal cuts hitting our state and an opportunity to reimagine what our budget stands for—and who it protects. Every dollar spent on food assistance for children returns $62 over the course of their lives. That’s the kind of investment that pays dividends in health and long-term economic strength.”

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“Thank you to the Nevada Assembly for passing Senate Bill 3, and thank you to Senate Majority Leader Cannizzaro for bringing this critical measure forward at a time when Nevadans are struggling with food insecurity stemming from federal chaos. The Nevada Legislature was called into a special session under the guise of an emergency, and with the passage of SB3, they have met the moment. Creating the general assistance program to help fund SNAP is the responsible and humane thing to do. We find ourselves living under a federal government that seeks to punish the most marginalized in our state and a governor who meekly submits to their whims.

“Nevadans are proud and independent, and with both houses passing SB3, the Legislature chose to live up to that reputation by creating a program that not only protects our most vulnerable from going hungry but also ensures that the federal government cannot use hunger as a weapon against us.”

Nalani Page, AFSCME Local 4041 member, issued the following statement:

“SB3 is what special legislative sessions should be about: creating bipartisan solutions to address the needs of Nevadans and investments into the well-being of our most vulnerable communities. The general assistance program created by SB3 means our state is prepared for any challenges we may face in the future. As a frontline employee in social services, Nevadans share with me every day the challenges they face and the hopelessness they often feel. The Silver State General Assistance Program will allow us to offer hope to our communities.” 

André Wade, Silver State, Equality, issued the following statement:

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. It’s refreshing to see the Assembly shield Nevadans from the harmful policies of the Trump administration to withhold SNAP benefits from our most vulnerable Americans. It’s important that we put the well-being of Nevadans first, and put politics last, which is what SB3 does by creating a general assistance program.”

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