LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Democratic state lawmakers say they want to introduce an alternative to federal food assistance benefits for Nevada during a special session.

The Nevada Senate Democratic Caucus announced Tuesday plans for the Nevada Emergency Nutrition Assistance Program, saying it's necessary because of the uncertainty surrounding SNAP.

The Trump administration is using emergency funds for SNAP benefits this month, with beneficiaries only receiving partial payments, after two federal judges ruled SNAP’s contingency funds must be used during the federal government shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro said she is concerned benefits could lapse again at the end of November.

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"Should the Governor call a special legislative session later this month, Senate Democrats will bring forward legislation to create the Nevada Emergency Nutrition Assistance Program to protect Nevadans who are just trying to put food on the table for their families," Cannizzaro said.

According to a memo from Senate Democrats, the proposed program would establish state benefits separate from SNAP. It would use the vendor framework and existing EBT cards to provide cash assistance to SNAP enrollees.

They propose putting $45.5 million in funding for enrollees' November benefits, while also setting aside an additional $91 million to cover December if necessary. The program is only intended to cover lapses in federal SNAP funding caused by a government shutdown.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said he would call a special session in the near future "to finish what the Legislature left unfinished" from this year's regular session, but he has not outlined what specific issues he wants to address or when exactly the special session could begin.

It's unclear how lawmakers could introduce the legislation. Under Nevada law, the governor sets the business when he convenes a special session, and lawmakers cannot pass any unrelated measures.