A bill aimed at increasing oversight of public assistance programs in Alabama advanced Thursday after clearing a Senate committee.
Senate Bill 61 would require state agencies to conduct more frequent cross-checks of households receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid to ensure continued eligibility.
Under the proposed legislation, agencies would review information on a monthly and quarterly basis, including death records, incarceration status, and possible changes in residency identified through out-of-state Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) usage. Quarterly reviews would also examine income levels and disability status, among other eligibility factors.
Supporters of the bill say the added reviews are intended to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in state-funded assistance programs.
“I don’t believe that there is a common feeling of whether we have that right balance or not as to whether we’re doing all that we can — and certainly not all that we should — to protect those funds,” said Greg Albritton.
Concerns were raised during committee discussion by Clyde Chambliss, who ultimately abstained from the final vote.
“There are times where we know that a person is never, ever going to get better except for a miracle,” Chambliss said. “Why do we want to put them through the ringer over and over again — and staff over and over again — when the answer is indefinitely the same?”
A fiscal note attached to the bill estimates implementation costs of approximately $16 million if the legislation is signed into law by Kay Ivey. The projected cost reflects an increased workload for eligibility determinations and removes the ability of the Alabama Department of Human Resources to grant categorical eligibility.
Linda Coleman-Madison voted against advancing the bill, citing concerns about administrative burden and effectiveness.
“The potential for more harm and not saving any money — putting departments through unnecessary hoops by having to administer this — this is not government efficiency,” she said.
The measure passed the committee on a party-line vote, with one abstention, and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
