HR272: HR272 Congress; U.S.D.A. modify eligibility requirements for SNAP Program; adopt legislation

Under current federal rules, college students generally cannot get SNAP (food assistance) benefits unless they qualify for an exemption, most commonly working at least 20 paid hours a week. This Georgia House resolution says that rule leaves out students who do unpaid work that resembles employment, such as research assistantships or volunteering. The resolution asks the U.S. Congress to pass legislation directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to count certain unpaid activities toward the employment exemption, regardless of pay. It also directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies of the resolution to Congress. Because it is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not change Georgia or federal law on its own; it only expresses the Georgia House's position and request to federal lawmakers.

• Formally asks the United States Congress to adopt legislation changing SNAP eligibility rules for college students.
• Specifies five categories of unpaid work Congress should direct the USDA to count toward SNAP's employment exemption regardless of pay.
• Lists research assistantships, teaching assistant work, student organization roles, volunteer or community service hours, and student ambassador work as qualifying activities.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies of the resolution to the United States Congress.
• Does not itself change any Georgia or federal law, since it is a resolution expressing the House's position rather than a binding statute.

College and university students enrolled in institutions of higher education who currently do not qualify for SNAP food assistance because their campus work, such as research assistantships or volunteering, is unpaid rather than paid employment.

If Congress and the USDA acted on this request, more college students doing unpaid campus work could qualify for SNAP food assistance, potentially easing food insecurity among students. As a resolution, it carries no legal force itself and only signals the Georgia House's position to federal lawmakers.

• The whereas clauses explain that current federal rules require students to work at least 20 paid hours per week to qualify for a SNAP exemption.
• The resolved clause asks Congress to require the USDA to count five specific types of unpaid activity toward that exemption regardless of pay.
• The listed activities are research assistantships, teaching assistant work, student organization work including officer roles, volunteer or community service hours, and student ambassador work.
• A final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the United States Congress.

1. 2025-02-20House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-19House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-18House Hopper (House)

• Lydia Glaize (D, HD-067)Primary sponsor
• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)
• Miriam Paris (D, HD-142)
• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)

• SNAP benefits
• food assistance
• college students
• federal legislation request