Republican legislative leaders are considering calling an extraordinary session to address the significant increase in state costs tied to recent federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in Wisconsin as FoodShare. In Wisconsin, an extraordinary session can be called by the Legislature, by the committees on organization or through a joint resolution or joint petition.

The One Big Beautiful Act, which was signed into federal law in July, shifts the federal–state cost split for SNAP administration from 50/50 to 75% state / 25% federal, and it creates a new requirement that states with higher payment error rates cover a share of the benefit costs themselves — something states have never had to pay before.

Following the federal action this past summer, the state Department of Health Services prepared a fiscal estimate of the costs for Wisconsin to comply with the federal law. These changes translate into about $32.3 million in state funding in 2026-27, rising to $43.5 million annually once fully implemented, plus 56 additional staff to handle FoodShare eligibility reviews, at an estimated cost of $5.7 million GPR in 2026-27 and $10.5 million in the following year.

While the general session floor periods have finished for 2025, it has been reported that GOP leaders are considering amending a policy bill (AB 180/SB 154) pertaining to the FoodShare program. Under the bill, DHS is directed to seek a waiver to ban the purchase of candy and soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. The legislation has passed the Assembly committee on a partisan vote but has not had a public hearing yet in the Senate. By amending this legislation, Republicans can achieve a policy reform in the FoodShare program with coupling the funding the administration is seeking.

It remains unclear whether the extraordinary session will occur. If it does not, DHS has warned that costs will continue to compound if Wisconsin does not move to comply with the federal law.