LINCOLN- Sen. Megan Hunt's second attempt at improving food assistance for convicted drug offenders in Nebraska cleared a hurdle Tuesday, but the bill could ultimately meet the same fate as the failed first attempt.

The bill, LB121, which Sen. Megan Hunt introduced in 2021, would allow a person convicted of drug offenses — possession, use or distribution — access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, commonly called food stamps, as long as they were complying with probation, parole or post-release supervision.

The bill passed its first round of debate on a 25-17 vote.

Hunt has been trying to pass a bill to improve food assistance for drug felons since at least 2019. That initial bill was effectively killed when Hunt fell short of the 33 votes she needed to pass a filibuster-ending cloture motion.

Hunt argued LB121 was fundamental to changing the culture of the state and would improve the quality of life for all Nebraskans by helping those in poverty. She said it makes no sense for young people who are convicted of a drug offense to not have access to food when they are older.

Because SNAP is a federally funded program, Hunt said the bill would cost nothing for Nebraska taxpayers.

Supporters, including Sens. Steve Lathrop and Terrell McKinney of Omaha, said LB121 would help reduce recidivism rates by eliminating the barrier of food access many drug convicts face upon their re-entry into society.

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