HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2714
As Reported by House Committee On:
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to caseload forecasting for food assistance programs.
Brief Description: Concerning caseload forecasting for food assistance programs.
Sponsors: Representatives Bergquist, Couture, Ormsby, Macri and Gregerson.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Appropriations: 2/5/26, 2/7/26 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Directs the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the state Food Assistance Program.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 27 members:Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Macri, Vice Chair; Couture, Ranking Minority Member; Connors, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Penner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Schmick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berg, Bergquist, Burnett, Callan, Cortes, Doglio, Dye, Fitzgibbon, Keaton, Leavitt, Lekanoff, Manjarrez, Marshall, Peterson, Pollet, Ryu, Springer, Stonier, Street and Thai.
Staff: Matt Mazur-Hart (786-7139).
Background:

The Caseload Forecast Council (CFC) is a state agency charged with preparing official state forecasts of the number of people expected to meet eligibility requirements and qualify for public assistance programs, including medical assistance, cash assistance, long-term care, and childcare.

 

The Legislature uses the forecasts to estimate the total expenditures for these different caseloads when developing their operating budget.

 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program that provides a monthly food benefit to low-income households.  The state-funded Food Assistance Program (FAP) for legal immigrants provides the same monthly benefit to low-income households who do not qualify for the SNAP solely on the basis of their immigration status.

 

Historically, SNAP benefits have been entirely paid for with federal funding.  Under newly enacted federal requirements taking effect October 1, 2027, states must pay a portion of the total amount of SNAP benefits if the state exceeds a certain payment error rate.  The FAP is exclusively state funded.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Caseload Forecast Council must forecast the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the state Food Assistance Program.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The proposed substitute removes the requirement that the Caseload Forecast Council forecast the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the state Food Assistance Program on the individual level.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) It is important to maintain funding for critical programs like food assistance, and forecasting the expected need will help us do that.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Steve Bergquist, prime sponsor; and Michael Moran, 1. Chehalis Tribes 2. Colville Tribes 3. 2nd Harvest.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.