SLS 14RS-156 REENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 20
BY SENATORS HEITMEIER AND DORSEY-COLOMB
HEALTH/HOSPITALS DEPT. Directs Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a
state plan amendment to the federal government that will permit WIC cash value vouchers
to be used at farmers' markets.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To direct the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a state plan amendment to the2
United States Department of Agriculture for the Special Supplemental Nutrition3
Program for Women, Infants, and Children, popularly known as "WIC", to provide4
for the use of WIC cash value vouchers at farmers' markets.5
WHEREAS, through the years of the WIC program, Congress has made numerous6
attempts to ensure that the healthiest options are available for purchase by those eligible to7
receive WIC benefits; and8
WHEREAS, as large supermarkets with substantial produce departments continue9
to be unavailable to substantial numbers of those receiving WIC benefits, farmers' markets10
have expanded in many of these areas in order to bring more nutritious options to WIC11
beneficiaries; and12
WHEREAS, as of 2012, more than twenty states were offering the option of spending13
WIC vouchers at farmers' markets operating within those states; and14
WHEREAS, direct marketing of farm products through farmers' markets continues15
to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide and Louisiana continues16
to expand access to farmers' markets throughout the state; and17
WHEREAS, while these markets have continued to grow in popularity primarily due18 SCR NO. 20
SLS 14RS-156 REENGROSSED
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to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm, it1
follows logically that WIC participants would have the same interest in the availability of2
fresh food products direct from the farm.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby4
direct the Department of Health and Hospitals to submit a state plan amendment to the5
United States Department of Agriculture for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program6
for Women, Infants, and Children to provide for the use of WIC cash value vouchers at7
farmers' markets.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the9
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.10
The original instrument was prepared by Mary Dozier O'Brien. The
following digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative
instrument, was prepared by Linda Nugent.
DIGEST
Heitmeier SCR No. 20
Directs DHH to submit a state plan amendment to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture WIC
program to provide for the use of WIC cash value vouchers at farmers' markets.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill
1. Directs DHH to submit a state plan amendment to the United States
Department of Agriculture, instead of Medicaid, to permit the use of WIC
cash value vouchers at farmers' markets.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Deleted references to the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.