When a special session of the Nevada Legislature is convened this fall, state Senate Democrats intend to introduce legislation that could provide up to $181 million for an alternative program for nearly half a million Nevadans whose food benefits are paused during the federal government shutdown.

Though a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to tap into more than $5 billion in federal contingency funds to pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the shutdown, the money will not cover the full costs for all 42 million Americans who rely on the program and President Donald Trump has indicated he does not want to release the funds. A state-run, state-funded program could fill the gap. 

“Even if the Trump administration does ultimately comply with the court’s order, contingency funds would only cover partial benefits payments for November, and we may still face a situation where the ongoing federal shutdown causes benefits to lapse again at the end of this month,” Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas) said in a statement announcing the plan.

The program is intended to only kick in when SNAP funding lapses at the federal level. It comes as Democratic officials, including Treasurer Zach Conine and Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D-Las Vegas), have pushed to ensure that benefits are fully funded through steps such as declaring a fiscal emergency or using state dollars to fund SNAP benefits.

A spokesperson for Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office did not immediately respond to a texted request for comment on Tuesday about the proposal. But legislative sources who were granted anonymity to speak candidly on the plan said the governor is aware of the proposal and is reviewing it.

Lombardo has pushed back on the notion the state could directly pay for November benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture denied the state permission to use its SNAP database to directly send recipients state money, according to a letter Lombardo sent last week.

In that letter, Lombardo also referred to federal guidance that states would need to set up a new program, distinct from SNAP, to remain compliant with federal regulations. 

A memo from Senate Democrats notes that the legislation would allocate $45.5 million to fund the remaining half of SNAP enrollees’ November benefits after the expected arrival of federal contingency funds (or the full amount, should federal funds not arrive) and set aside an additional $91 million to cover December benefits if necessary.

Modeled after efforts in Louisiana and Virginia, the proposed program will be separate from SNAP but utilize the same vendor framework and electronic benefits transfer cards to provide cash assistance to Nevada SNAP enrollees.

“Structuring the program this way will prevent the state from conflicting with federal regulations and guidance regarding direct state funding of SNAP benefits,” Cannizzaro’s Chief of Staff Jack Giesea wrote in a memo.

In early October, Lombardo said he would call a special session of the Legislature in the fall to take care of “unfinished” business. Though no additional specifics have been publicly released, it’s expected that items on the agenda will include an effort to revive a failed film tax credit expansion and a multifaceted crime bill backed by the governor that died in the 11th hour of the 2025 session. 

Nevada’s Constitution states that in special sessions called by the governor, the “Legislature shall not introduce, consider or pass any bills except those related to the business for which the Legislature has been specially convened and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session.” 

That means unless Lombardo includes issues related to SNAP on the special session agenda, any effort to pass bills on the matter would be ripe for legal challenges.

Sen. Dina Neal (D-North Las Vegas), who represents a district with one of the highest rates of SNAP usage in Nevada, said the program is critical for filling the gap for families who are hurting.

“We don’t play politics with our neighbors’ ability to eat,” Neal said in a statement. “Nevada has to step up and work towards a solution to this problem.”