U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Rick Scott of Florida introduced legislation last week aimed at strengthening oversight of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, and reducing fraud and abuse.

The SNAP Data Transparency and Oversight Act would require state agencies to provide recipient-level data and case file information to the U.S. Department of Agriculture upon request by the Secretary of Agriculture according to a news release. States that fail to comply could lose federal funding.

Per the release, the legislation comes after reports that some states, including California, have refused to fully cooperate with federal oversight and enforcement efforts. By mandating timely data access, the bill seeks to ensure taxpayer-funded benefits reach those who need them while reinforcing federal authority to prevent fraud.

“I appreciate President Trump and Secretary Rollins’ efforts to cut out waste, fraud, and abuse from the SNAP system. It’s important that we ensure these taxpayer-funded benefits are going to those who truly need them. I’m proud to join my good friend Senator Rick Scott in this legislation to create more transparency and accountability when it comes to SNAP enforcement,” Tuberville said in the release.

Under the bill, states would be required to transmit requested data through secure online systems within 30 days unless the Secretary of Agriculture specifies otherwise. All data would be subject to privacy and security protections, and the Secretary would be authorized to share it with federal or state law enforcement for investigative or enforcement purposes.

“The American people are sick and tired of seeing their tax dollars, intended for critical programs like SNAP, completely wasted and abused instead of being used to help families in need. Even worse, Democrat-run states like California seem totally fine with being complicit in the fraud instead of allowing the federal government necessary oversight to address it. That should end now. My bill requires states to provide the necessary data for stronger oversight and accountability, so we do not allow bureaucracy or political agendas to stand in the way of preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer funds,” Scott said.

The full text of the legislation is available at www.tuberville.senate.gov.