H.R. 4347: To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to provide employment and training data grants, and for other purposes.

This bill, known as the SNAP E&T Data And Technical Assistance (DATA) Act of 2025, aims to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to facilitate the awarding of grants to state agencies. These grants would be aimed at creating and improving databases that manage employment and training data for programs related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Key Features of the Bill

• Grant Authority: The Secretary would be empowered to issue grants on a competitive basis to state agencies for developing longitudinal administrative databases. These databases are intended to enhance the quality of SNAP employment and training programs and ensure they effectively serve participants.
• Priorities for Granting: The grants would prioritize states that have not previously received such funding, as well as those with significant needs regarding their data infrastructure. Other priorities would include fostering collaboration between SNAP programs and other workforce development initiatives, and contributing to state-level data systems.
• Data Usage and Privacy: The bill establishes that the data collected through these grants would be used solely for the purposes specified in the legislation. It includes provisions to protect the privacy of individuals whose data is being collected, ensuring that their identities and locations are kept confidential.
• Funding Amounts: The bill allocates $15 million per fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 for the implementation of these grants. It also allows for the reservation of up to 20% of this funding for technical assistance in implementing the grants.
• Reporting Requirements: The Secretary is mandated to submit reports to Congress regarding the grant implementation. This includes detailing the number of grants awarded, recipient information, their use of the funds, and the overall impact of the grants on the effectiveness of state employment and training programs.
• GAO Review: The bill requires the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the implementation of the data grants within one year of funds being made available, focusing on co-enrollment strategies, best practices in employment program coordination, and the use of data to improve participant outcomes.

Goals of the Legislation

The overarching goals of the SNAP DATA Act are to:

• Strengthen the employment and training services provided under the SNAP program.
• Enhance the ability of states to collect and analyze data to improve program effectiveness and participant outcomes.
• Facilitate collaboration and integration between different employment and training programs at the state level, allowing for a more streamlined approach to workforce development.
• Ensure data privacy and security in the management of sensitive information related to program participants.

Funding and Implementation Timeline

The bill specifies a timeline for funding and implementation, indicating that state agencies can begin applying for these grants starting in fiscal year 2026, with ongoing reviews and reports required throughout the implementation period.

Relevant Companies

None found.