Sec. 201 Participation and transition of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands in supplemental nutrition assistance program
“(C) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
“(f) Transition of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to supplemental nutrition assistance program
“(1) Definition of governmental entity—In this subsection, the term “governmental entity” means—
“(A) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
“(B) American Samoa; and
“(C) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“(2) Request for participation—A governmental entity may submit to the Secretary a request to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, which shall include a plan of operation described in section 11(d), which shall include the date on which the governmental entity intends to begin participation in the program.
“(3) Certification by Secretary
“(A) In general—The Secretary shall certify a governmental entity that submits a request under paragraph (2) as qualified to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program if the Secretary—
“(i) approves the plan of operation submitted with the request, in accordance with this subsection; and
“(ii) approves the applications described in paragraph (5) in accordance with that paragraph.
“(B) Submission of certification to Congress—The Secretary shall submit each certification under subparagraph (A) to Congress.
“(C) Certification decision—The Secretary shall certify or not certify a governmental entity that submits a request under paragraph (2) not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the request.
“(4) Determination of plan of operation
“(A) Approval—The Secretary shall approve a plan of operation submitted with a request under paragraph (2) if the plan satisfies the requirements under this Act.
“(B) Disapproval—If the Secretary does not approve a plan of operation submitted with a request under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide to the governmental entity a statement that describes each requirement under this Act that is not satisfied by the plan.
“(5) Retail food stores—If the Secretary approves a plan of operation under paragraph (4)(A) for a governmental entity, the Secretary shall accept applications from retail food stores located in that governmental entity to be authorized under section 9 to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
“(6) Puerto Rico—In the case of a request under paragraph (2) by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, notwithstanding subsection (g), the Secretary shall allow the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to continue to carry out under the supplemental nutrition assistance program the Family Market Program established pursuant to this section.
“(7) Temporary funding—Any governmental entity that has a request under paragraph (2) pending before the Secretary (including a plan of operation pending under paragraph (4)) shall receive block grants under this section, in amounts determined by the Secretary, until the date on which the Secretary certifies the governmental entity.
“(8) Authorization of appropriations—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection for fiscal year 2021, to remain available until expended.
“(g) Technical infrastructure implementation
“(1) In general—A governmental entity (as defined in subsection (f)) may request from the Secretary a 1-time grant to pay for the cost of the technology infrastructure necessary to implement the supplemental nutrition assistance program, including the cost of information technology, information technology personnel, and training relating to program implementation.
“(2) Application—A governmental entity making a request under paragraph (1) for a grant shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including—
“(A) a description of the costs to be paid for by the grant; and
“(B) a plan for implementing the technology infrastructure described in paragraph (1)—
“(i) within 1 year of receiving the grant; and
“(ii) that is reasonably cost efficient, as determined by the Secretary.
“(3) Determination
“(A) Time limit—The Secretary shall approve or deny an application submitted under paragraph (2) not later than 90 days after the date on which the application is submitted.
“(B) Denial—If the Secretary denies an application submitted under paragraph (2), the governmental entity may amend the plan described in subparagraph (B) of that paragraph, in coordination with the Secretary, to resubmit to the Secretary for approval.
“(4) Funding
“(A) In general—There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $5,000,000 to carry out this subsection, to remain available until 3 years after the date of enactment of this subsection.
“(B) Reversion of funds—Any funds appropriated to the Secretary under subparagraph (A) that remain available by the date described in that subparagraph shall revert to the Treasury.
“(h) Termination of effectiveness
“(1) In general—Subsections (a) through (e) shall cease to be effective with respect to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, as applicable, on the date described in paragraph (2) if the Secretary submits to Congress a certification under subsection (f)(3)(B) for that governmental entity.
“(2) Date described—The date referred to in paragraph (1) is, with respect to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the date established by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, respectively, in the applicable plan of operation submitted to the Secretary under subsection (f)(2).”