AN ACT relating to the provision of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and declaring an emergency.

Amend KRS 48.705 to allow the Governor to authorize limited use of moneys in the budget reserve trust fund to provide for the continuity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during a lapse in federal appropriations; require repayment of the moneys within 90 days of restoration of federal appropriations; require reporting to the Legislative Research Commission and the State Budget Director; require prior approval of the General Assembly if more than 5% of the total balance of the budget reserve trust fund is used; EMERGENCY.

Introduced: January 29, 2026

Last action: February 5, 2026

To Appropriations & Revenue (H)

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This bill would allow the Governor to temporarily use Kentucky's budget reserve trust fund, commonly called the "rainy day fund," to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program running if federal funding is interrupted. Any money used would have to be paid back within 90 days once federal funding is restored, and using more than five percent of the reserve fund would require approval from the General Assembly. The bill also includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon becoming law. Who it may affect: Kentuckians who rely on SNAP food assistance benefits.

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