Connecticut SB497: AN ACT PROVIDING FOOD SECURITY FOR VETERANS, TRANSITIONAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER PERSONS AFFECTED BY FEDERAL PROGRAM CUTS, A FOOD AS MEDICINE WAIVER PROGRAM, MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDER RATE INCREASES AND ALIGNING NUTRITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

What the bill says

An act protecting food security for veterans and others and mitigating federal cuts to nutritional assistance. assembly convened.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT PROTECTING FOOD SECURITY FOR VETERANS AND OTHERS AND MITIGATING FEDERAL CUTS TO NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE. Assembly convened: Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2026) There is established an account to be known as the supplemental nutrition assistance transitional benefit account, which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Department of Social Services solely for the purposes of operating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Transitional Benefit Program established pursuant to section 4 of this act. Sec. 2. (Effective July 1, 2026) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of special act 26-1, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall transfer forty million dollars from the Federal Cuts Response Fund, established pursuant to section 1 of special act 26-1, to the supplemental nutrition assistance transitional benefit account established pursuant to section LCO No. 3075 1 of Raised Bill No. of this act. Sec. 3. Section 17b-105a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2026): (a) The Commissioner of Social Services shall seek a waiver from federal law to allow persons who live in an area in which (1) …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Martin Looney (D, 11) · primary sponsor
• Lucia Dathan (D, 142)
• Saud Anwar (D, 3)
• Matthew Lesser (D, 9)
• Nicholas Gauthier (D, 38)
• Martha Marx (D, 20)
• Jane Garibay (D, 60)
• Geraldo Reyes (D, 75)
• Nicholas Menapace (D, 37)
• Derek Slap (D, 5)
• Joshua Elliott (D, 88)
• Michael Shannon (D, 117)

Latest actions

1. April 20, 2026: Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
2. April 20, 2026: No New File by Committee on Appropriations
3. April 20, 2026: Reported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4. April 20, 2026: Filed with Legislative Commissioners' Office
5. April 17, 2026: Joint Favorable
6. April 15, 2026: Immediate Transmittal
7. April 15, 2026: Referred by Senate to Committee on Appropriations
8. April 7, 2026: File Number 486
9. April 7, 2026: Senate Calendar Number 298
10. April 7, 2026: Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate

Votes

• APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable) (April 17, 2026): 46 yea, 7 nay, passed
• HS Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable) (March 19, 2026): 15 yea, 8 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB497?

SB497 is a bill in the Connecticut Legislature (2026 General Assembly): AN ACT PROVIDING FOOD SECURITY FOR VETERANS, TRANSITIONAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR OTHER PERSONS AFFECTED BY FEDERAL PROGRAM CUTS, A FOOD AS MEDICINE WAIVER PROGRAM, MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDER RATE INCREASES AND ALIGNING NUTRITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

What does SB497 do?

In its own words: An act protecting food security for veterans and others and mitigating federal cuts to nutritional assistance. assembly convened.

What is the status of SB497?

In committee as of April 20, 2026. Latest action: Favorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate (April 20, 2026).

Who sponsored SB497?

Martin Looney (D, 11), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB497?

On the Connecticut Legislature website: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB00497&which_year=2026