Ohio Lawmakers Aim to Bolster SNAP Cybersecurity

Bipartisan bills in both state chambers target vulnerable magnetic strip cards used by SNAP recipients

Mar. 21, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Ohio legislators are working to enhance the cybersecurity of the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by transitioning from magnetic strip EBT cards to more secure chip-enabled cards. Senate Bill 315 and House Bill 163 both aim to address the growing problem of 'skimming' devices that can steal SNAP recipients' card data, with the goal of reducing fraud and protecting vulnerable Ohioans.

Why it matters

SNAP is a critical food assistance program relied upon by millions of low-income Ohioans. The proposed legislation seeks to modernize the program's technology and improve its security, which could help prevent fraud, protect beneficiaries, and ensure taxpayer funds are used as intended.

The details

The bills would require Ohio to replace the current magnetic strip SNAP cards with chip-enabled cards, which are more resistant to skimming devices used by criminals to steal card data. The transition is expected to 'eliminate most of the SNAP fraud problem overnight,' according to Rep. Tristan Rader. The legislation would also make it easier for SNAP recipients to report suspected fraud to the state. Funding of around $10.6 million is proposed to cover the card replacement costs, with a deadline to act before federal assistance ends later this year.

  • The Ohio Legislature is currently considering Senate Bill 315 and House Bill 163 to address SNAP cybersecurity.
  • The federal government is providing funding to help states transition to more secure SNAP cards, but that assistance is set to expire later in 2026.

The players

Tim Schaffer

Republican state senator from Lancaster who has introduced Senate Bill 315.

Hearcel Craig

Democratic state senator from Columbus who has co-sponsored Senate Bill 315.

Tristan Rader

Democratic state representative from Lakewood who is sponsoring House Bill 163.

Kellie Deeter

Republican state representative from Norwalk who is co-sponsoring House Bill 163.

Keith Faber

Ohio State Auditor who has highlighted the growing problem of government program fraud enabled by outdated technologies like magnetic strip cards.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing an uptick in government fraud across all of the big government programs. One of the things we're seeing in cyber fraud and other types of fraud were the hackers and the fraudsters are using our own technology against us.”

— Keith Faber, Ohio State Auditor

“The fact that we're so far behind in this state and many states that still use these outdated technologies really doesn't speak well of government efficiency and doing our jobs to protect all Ohioans, including Ohio taxpayers that fund these programs.”

— Tristan Rader, State Representative

What’s next

The Ohio House Agriculture Committee has held four hearings on House Bill 163, and no formal opposition has been submitted so far. If passed, the legislation would need to be signed into law before the federal SNAP cybersecurity funding expires later this year.

The takeaway

Ohio's proposed SNAP cybersecurity upgrades demonstrate a bipartisan effort to modernize the state's food assistance program and protect vulnerable residents from fraud. The transition to chip-enabled cards could significantly reduce criminal exploitation of the current magnetic strip technology, ensuring SNAP funds are used as intended to support food security across the state.