ENROLLED
2022 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 35
BY REPRESENTATIVES BACALA, ADAMS, AMEDEE, BOYD, CREWS,
DUBUISSON, ECHOLS, EDMONDS, EDMONSTON, FIRMENT, FISHER,
GADBERRY, GREEN, HORTON, TRAVIS JOHNSON, KERNER, LARVADAIN,
MCMAHEN, MIGUEZ, DUSTIN MILLER, NEWELL, CHARLES OWEN,
ROBERT OWEN, SCHAMERHORN, SELDERS, STAGNI, THOMPSON,
TURNER, AND WRIGHT
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To request a joint study effort by the Department of Children and Family Services, the
Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Department of Education, the
Louisiana Housing Corporation, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to
examine the phenomena known as "benefits cliffs" and their effect on beneficiaries
of public assistance programs and to submit recommendations to the legislature
concerning means by which these disincentives for work can be eliminated.
WHEREAS, in certain means-tested public assistance programs, individuals lose
eligibility for benefits as a result of an increase in their wages, even if the increase is not
sufficient to cover basic needs; and
WHEREAS, when a needy family relying upon a public assistance program for food,
housing, medical care, or other basic needs has an increase in earned income, the family
experiences a reduction in or termination of public assistance; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's major means-tested public assistance programs include the
following:
(1) The medical assistance program administered by the Louisiana Department of
Health in accordance with Title XIX of the Social Security Act and known commonly as
Medicaid.
(2) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administered by the Department
of Children and Family Services (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program).
Page 1 of 3 HCR NO. 35 ENROLLED
(3) The Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program administered by the
Department of Children and Family Services as the general cash assistance component of
the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant (the successor to
the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program), commonly referred to as "welfare".
(4) The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
administered by the Louisiana Department of Health and known commonly as WIC.
(5) The Child Care Assistance Program administered by the Louisiana Department
of Education.
(6) Housing assistance programs administered by the Louisiana Housing
Corporation; and
WHEREAS, policymakers with differing ideologies generally agree that earning
income from employment is essential in order for people to move from poverty to self-
sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, the legislature finds that removing barriers to employment for members
of low-income families who are willing and able to work and helping those who are needy
to become financially self-reliant are widely shared goals among the members of this body.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
request a joint study effort by the Department of Children and Family Services, the
Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana
Housing Corporation, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to examine the phenomena
known as "benefits cliffs" and their effect on beneficiaries of public assistance programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Children and Family Services
shall lead the study effort called for in this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, no later than sixty days prior to the convening
of the 2023 Regular Session, the Department of Children and Family Services shall submit
to the elected members of legislature and to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research
Library a report featuring key findings from the study called for in this Resolution and
recommendations concerning means by which benefits cliffs can be eliminated.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study and report called for in this Resolution
shall feature, at minimum, all of the following:
Page 2 of 3 HCR NO. 35 ENROLLED
(1) An itemized listing of the major means-tested public assistance programs
currently operating in this state along with the income eligibility standards and benefit
amounts associated with each program and descriptions of the nature of the benefits offered
by each program.
(2) For each type of benefit addressed in the report, an indication of whether benefit
amounts phase down incrementally with increasing household income or a pronounced cliff
occurs whereby income increasing by any amount causes a dramatic reduction in, or
elimination of, benefits which is out of proportion to the gain in earned income.
(3) For each type of benefit featured in the report which has a pronounced cliff
associated with it, options for actions that the state may take to eliminate the cliff.
(4) Any other information and findings that the parties conducting the study deem
appropriate and necessary for the legislature to consider.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, the secretary of the Louisiana
Department of Health, the state superintendent of education, the executive director of the
Louisiana Housing Corporation, and the executive director of the Louisiana Workforce
Commission.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 3 of 3