| Old | New | Differences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1.1 A bill for an act | |
| 2 | 2 | 1.2 relating to health; transferring the healthy eating, here at home program to the | |
| 3 | 3 | 1.3 Department of Health; establishing the fresh bucks pilot program; requiring a | |
| 4 | 4 | 1.4 report; appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, | |
| 5 | 5 | 1.5 subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, | |
| 6 | 6 | 1.6 subdivision 7. | |
| 7 | 7 | 1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: | |
| 8 | 8 | 1.8 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 1, is amended to read: | |
| 9 | 9 | 1.9 Subdivision 1.Establishment.The healthy eating, here at home program is established | |
| 10 | 10 | 1.10to provide incentives for low-income Minnesotans to use federal Supplemental Nutrition | |
| 11 | - | 1.11Assistance Program (SNAP) or | |
| 12 | - | 1. | |
| 11 | + | 1.11Assistance Program (SNAP) or Summer EBT benefits for healthy purchases at | |
| 12 | + | 1.12Minnesota-based farmers' markets, mobile markets, and direct-farmer sales, including | |
| 13 | 13 | 1.13community-supported agriculture shares. | |
| 14 | 14 | 1.14 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 2, is amended to read: | |
| 15 | 15 | 1.15 Subd. 2.Definitions.(a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section. | |
| 16 | 16 | 1.16 (b) "Healthy eating, here at home" means a program administered by the Minnesota | |
| 17 | 17 | 1.17Humanities Center Department of Health to provide incentives for low-income Minnesotans | |
| 18 | - | 1.18to use SNAP or | |
| 19 | - | 1. | |
| 18 | + | 1.18to use SNAP or Summer EBT benefits for healthy purchases at Minnesota-based farmers' | |
| 19 | + | 1.19markets. | |
| 20 | 20 | 1.20 (c) "Healthy purchases" means SNAP-eligible foods. | |
| 21 | 21 | 1Sec. 2. | |
| 22 | - | ||
| 22 | + | 25-02204 as introduced02/18/25 REVISOR SGS/HL | |
| 23 | 23 | SENATE | |
| 24 | 24 | STATE OF MINNESOTA | |
| 25 | 25 | S.F. No. 1858NINETY-FOURTH SESSION | |
| 26 | - | (SENATE AUTHORS: MANN, Abeler | |
| 26 | + | (SENATE AUTHORS: MANN, Abeler and Maye Quade) | |
| 27 | 27 | OFFICIAL STATUSD-PGDATE | |
| 28 | - | Introduction and first reading49002/24/2025 | |
| 29 | - | Referred to Health and Human Services | |
| 30 | - | Comm report: To pass as amended and re-refer to State and Local Government03/06/2025 | |
| 31 | - | Authors added Port; Boldon 2.1 (d) "Minnesota-based farmers' market" means a physical market as defined in section | |
| 28 | + | Introduction and first reading02/24/2025 | |
| 29 | + | Referred to Health and Human Services 2.1 (d) "Minnesota-based farmers' market" means a physical market as defined in section | |
| 32 | 30 | 2.228A.151, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and also includes mobile markets and direct-farmer | |
| 33 | 31 | 2.3sales, including through a community-supported agriculture model. | |
| 34 | 32 | 2.4 (e) "Voucher" means a physical or electronic credit. | |
| 35 | 33 | 2.5 (f) "Eligible household" means an individual or family that is determined to be a recipient | |
| 36 | - | 2.6of SNAP or | |
| 34 | + | 2.6of SNAP or Summer EBT. | |
| 37 | 35 | 2.7 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 3, is amended to read: | |
| 38 | - | 2.8 Subd. 3.Grants.The Minnesota Humanities Center | |
| 39 | - | 2. | |
| 40 | - | 2. | |
| 36 | + | 2.8 Subd. 3.Grants.The Minnesota Humanities Center Department of Health shall allocate | |
| 37 | + | 2.9grant funds to nonprofit organizations that work with Minnesota-based farmers' markets to | |
| 38 | + | 2.10provide up to $10 vouchers to SNAP or Summer EBT participants who use electronic | |
| 41 | 39 | 2.11benefits transfer (EBT) cards for healthy purchases. Funds may also be provided for vouchers | |
| 42 | 40 | 2.12distributed through nonprofit organizations engaged in healthy cooking and food education | |
| 43 | 41 | 2.13outreach to eligible households for use at farmers' markets. Funds appropriated under this | |
| 44 | 42 | 2.14section may not be used for healthy cooking classes or food education outreach. When | |
| 45 | - | 2.15awarding grants, the Minnesota Humanities Center | |
| 46 | - | 2. | |
| 47 | - | 2. | |
| 43 | + | 2.15awarding grants, the Minnesota Humanities Center Department of Health must consider | |
| 44 | + | 2.16how the nonprofit organizations will achieve geographic balance, including specific efforts | |
| 45 | + | 2.17to reach eligible households across the state, and the organizations' capacity to manage the | |
| 48 | 46 | 2.18programming and outreach. | |
| 49 | 47 | 2.19 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 4, is amended to read: | |
| 50 | 48 | 2.20 Subd. 4.Household eligibility; participation.To be eligible for a healthy eating, here | |
| 51 | - | 2.21at home voucher, an eligible household must meet the Minnesota SNAP or | |
| 52 | - | 2. | |
| 49 | + | 2.21at home voucher, an eligible household must meet the Minnesota SNAP or Summer EBT | |
| 50 | + | 2.22eligibility requirements under section 142F.10. | |
| 53 | 51 | 2.23 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 6, is amended to read: | |
| 54 | 52 | 2.24 Subd. 6.Program reporting.The nonprofit organizations that receive grant funds must | |
| 55 | - | 2.25report annually to the Minnesota Humanities Center | |
| 56 | - | 2. | |
| 57 | - | 2. | |
| 58 | - | 2. | |
| 53 | + | 2.25report annually to the Minnesota Humanities Center Department of Health with information | |
| 54 | + | 2.26regarding the operation of the program, including the number of vouchers issued and the | |
| 55 | + | 2.27number of people served. To the extent practicable, the nonprofit organizations must report | |
| 56 | + | 2.28on the usage of the vouchers and evaluate the program's effectiveness. | |
| 59 | 57 | 2Sec. 5. | |
| 60 | - | ||
| 58 | + | 25-02204 as introduced02/18/25 REVISOR SGS/HL 3.1 Sec. 6. FRESH BUCKS PILOT PROGRAM. | |
| 61 | 59 | 3.2 Subdivision 1.Establishment.(a) The fresh bucks pilot program is established by the | |
| 62 | - | 3. | |
| 63 | - | 3. | |
| 60 | + | 3.3Department of Health to help Minnesotans participating in SNAP or Summer EBT purchase | |
| 61 | + | 3.4fresh produce from retailers to support a more nutritious diet. | |
| 64 | 62 | 3.5 (b) Under this program, eligible households may use EBT cards at SNAP retailers to | |
| 65 | 63 | 3.6receive a dollar-for-dollar match on the purchase of produce up to a $20 match per day per | |
| 66 | 64 | 3.7eligible household, with a monthly limit of $80 per eligible household. This program is | |
| 67 | 65 | 3.8available until the appropriation is expended. | |
| 68 | 66 | 3.9 Subd. 2.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the terms in this subdivision have | |
| 69 | 67 | 3.10the meanings given. | |
| 70 | - | 3.11 (b) " | |
| 68 | + | 3.11 (b) "Department" means the Department of Health. | |
| 71 | 69 | 3.12 (c) "Eligible household" means an individual or family that is determined to be a recipient | |
| 72 | - | 3.13of SNAP or | |
| 70 | + | 3.13of SNAP or Summer EBT. | |
| 73 | 71 | 3.14 (d) "Nonprofit organization" means a nonprofit organization chosen by the department | |
| 74 | 72 | 3.15to assist with the administration of the fresh bucks pilot program. | |
| 75 | - | 3.16 (e) "Produce" means fresh whole or cut fruits | |
| 76 | - | 3. | |
| 73 | + | 3.16 (e) "Produce" means fresh whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, | |
| 74 | + | 3.17oils, or salt. | |
| 77 | 75 | 3.18 (f) "Program" means the fresh bucks pilot program. | |
| 78 | 76 | 3.19 (g) "SNAP retailer" means grocery stores, small food retailers, gas stations, and other | |
| 79 | 77 | 3.20entities that have been selected to participate in the program. | |
| 80 | 78 | 3.21 Subd. 3.Program administration.The nonprofit organization, under the review and | |
| 81 | - | 3.22guidance of the | |
| 79 | + | 3.22guidance of the department, shall implement the program by: | |
| 82 | 80 | 3.23 (1) developing and issuing program guidelines; | |
| 83 | 81 | 3.24 (2) creating a process for selecting SNAP retailers using the criteria in subdivision 4; | |
| 84 | 82 | 3.25 (3) reviewing and accepting applications for the program; | |
| 85 | 83 | 3.26 (4) establishing monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure the funds from the | |
| 86 | 84 | 3.27program are used to support the purposes of the program; | |
| 87 | 85 | 3.28 (5) establishing a system for reimbursing SNAP retailers in a timely manner, considering | |
| 88 | 86 | 3.29any specific needs or circumstances of the SNAP retailer based on size or other factors; | |
| 89 | 87 | 3Sec. 6. | |
| 90 | - | ||
| 88 | + | 25-02204 as introduced02/18/25 REVISOR SGS/HL 4.1 (6) regularly monitoring the balance of the program funds to ensure that no SNAP retailer | |
| 91 | 89 | 4.2reimbursements combined with any other program-related expenses exceed the amount | |
| 92 | 90 | 4.3appropriated for the program; and | |
| 93 | 91 | 4.4 (7) establishing additional guidelines to implement the program as the nonprofit | |
| 94 | 92 | 4.5organization deems reasonable. | |
| 95 | 93 | 4.6 Subd. 4.SNAP retailer selection criteria.(a) To be eligible to participate in the program, | |
| 96 | 94 | 4.7SNAP retailers must meet the following minimum criteria: | |
| 97 | 95 | 4.8 (1) accept expenditures of benefits provided by SNAP in accordance with United States | |
| 98 | - | 4.9Code, title 7, section 2011, and | |
| 99 | - | 4.10 (2) be in good standing with SNAP and | |
| 96 | + | 4.9Code, title 7, section 2011, and Summer EBT; | |
| 97 | + | 4.10 (2) be in good standing with SNAP and Summer EBT; | |
| 100 | 98 | 4.11 (3) demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement the program; | |
| 101 | 99 | 4.12 (4) commit to begin offering the program to eligible households no later than 90 days | |
| 102 | 100 | 4.13from the date the retailer receives notice of approval to participate in the program; | |
| 103 | 101 | 4.14 (5) agree to comply with all data collection and reporting requirements established by | |
| 104 | - | 4.15the | |
| 102 | + | 4.15the department or other state agency; | |
| 105 | 103 | 4.16 (6) agree to cooperate with efforts to market the program; and | |
| 106 | 104 | 4.17 (7) agree to cooperate with any audit or investigation to protect against the fraudulent | |
| 107 | - | 4.18use of funds under this section that is conducted by a nonprofit organization | |
| 108 | - | 4. | |
| 109 | - | 4.20 ( | |
| 110 | - | 4.21 ( | |
| 111 | - | 4.22 ( | |
| 112 | - | 4. | |
| 113 | - | 4. | |
| 114 | - | 4. | |
| 115 | - | 4. | |
| 116 | - | 4. | |
| 117 | - | 4. | |
| 118 | - | 4.29 | |
| 119 | - | 4. | |
| 105 | + | 4.18use of funds under this section that is conducted by a nonprofit organization, department, | |
| 106 | + | 4.19or other state agency. | |
| 107 | + | 4.20 (b) The department and nonprofit organization shall consider the following criteria: | |
| 108 | + | 4.21 (1) the geographic diversity of the participating SNAP retailer and its participating stores; | |
| 109 | + | 4.22 (2) a demonstrated commitment to carrying locally grown food, when possible; and | |
| 110 | + | 4.23 (3) any other criteria that the department or nonprofit organization determines necessary | |
| 111 | + | 4.24and consistent with the purposes of this section. | |
| 112 | + | 4.25 Subd. 5.Waiver request.The commissioner of children, youth, and families must | |
| 113 | + | 4.26submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Agriculture seeking approval | |
| 114 | + | 4.27for the inclusion of SNAP retailers in this program so that SNAP and Summer EBT | |
| 115 | + | 4.28participants receive a discount for produce. | |
| 116 | + | 4.29 Subd. 6.Report.By ......., the department, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization | |
| 117 | + | 4.30and any other contracted entity, shall submit a report to the chairs and ranking minority | |
| 120 | 118 | 4Sec. 6. | |
| 121 | - | S1858-1 1st EngrossmentSF1858 REVISOR SGS 5.1 (4) any other information the commissioner determines useful or relevant to understanding | |
| 122 | - | 5.2the reach and effectiveness of the program. | |
| 123 | - | 5.3 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment. | |
| 124 | - | 5.4 Sec. 7. APPROPRIATIONS; HEALTHY EATING, HERE AT HOME; FRESH | |
| 125 | - | 5.5BUCKS PILOT PROGRAM. | |
| 126 | - | 5.6 (a) $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from | |
| 127 | - | 5.7the general fund to the commissioner of health for the healthy eating, here at home program | |
| 128 | - | 5.8under section 1. | |
| 129 | - | 5.9 (b) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated | |
| 130 | - | 5.10from the general fund to the commissioner of health for the fresh bucks pilot program under | |
| 131 | - | 5.11section 6. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until January 1, 2028. | |
| 132 | - | 5.12 Sec. 8. TRANSFER OF PROGRAM. | |
| 133 | - | 5.13 The healthy eating, here at home program is transferred from the Minnesota Humanities | |
| 134 | - | 5.14Center to the Department of Health on July 1, 2025. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, | |
| 135 | - | 5.15section 15.039, apply to this transfer. | |
| 136 | - | 5.16 Sec. 9. REVISOR INSTRUCTION. | |
| 137 | - | 5.17 The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 138.912, as section | |
| 138 | - | 5.18144.0554. The revisor shall make any cross-reference changes necessary resulting from the | |
| 139 | - | 5.19renumbering of the healthy eating, here at home program. | |
| 140 | - | 5.20 Sec. 10. REPEALER. | |
| 141 | - | 5.21 Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 7, is repealed. | |
| 119 | + | 25-02204 as introduced02/18/25 REVISOR SGS/HL 5.1members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over health containing the following | |
| 120 | + | 5.2information: | |
| 121 | + | 5.3 (1) the number of retailers participating and the retailers' geographic distribution; | |
| 122 | + | 5.4 (2) the demographics of the areas and individuals served; | |
| 123 | + | 5.5 (3) the costs associated with the program; and | |
| 124 | + | 5.6 (4) any other information the department determines useful or relevant to understanding | |
| 125 | + | 5.7the reach and effectiveness of the program. | |
| 126 | + | 5.8 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment. | |
| 127 | + | 5.9 Sec. 7. APPROPRIATIONS; HEALTHY EATING, HERE AT HOME; FRESH | |
| 128 | + | 5.10BUCKS PILOT PROGRAM. | |
| 129 | + | 5.11 (a) $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated from | |
| 130 | + | 5.12the general fund to the commissioner of health for the healthy eating, here at home program | |
| 131 | + | 5.13under section 1. | |
| 132 | + | 5.14 (b) $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2027 are appropriated | |
| 133 | + | 5.155.16from the general fund to the commissioner of health for the fresh bucks pilot program under | |
| 134 | + | section 6. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until January 1, 2028. | |
| 135 | + | 5.17 Sec. 8. TRANSFER OF PROGRAM. | |
| 136 | + | 5.18 The healthy eating, here at home program is transferred from the Minnesota Humanities | |
| 137 | + | 5.19Center to the Department of Health on July 1, 2025. The provisions of Minnesota Statutes, | |
| 138 | + | 5.20section 15.039, apply to this transfer. | |
| 139 | + | 5.21 Sec. 9. REVISOR INSTRUCTION. | |
| 140 | + | 5.22 The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 138.912, as section | |
| 141 | + | 5.23144.0554. The revisor shall make any cross-reference changes necessary resulting from the | |
| 142 | + | 5.24renumbering of the healthy eating, here at home program. | |
| 143 | + | 5.25 Sec. 10. REPEALER. | |
| 144 | + | 5.26 Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 138.912, subdivision 7, is repealed. | |
| 142 | 145 | 5Sec. 10. | |
| 143 | - | ||
| 146 | + | 25-02204 as introduced02/18/25 REVISOR SGS/HL 138.912 HEALTHY EATING, HERE AT HOME. | |
| 144 | 147 | Subd. 7.Grocery inclusion.The commissioner of children, youth, and families must submit a | |
| 145 | 148 | waiver request to the federal United States Department of Agriculture seeking approval for the | |
| 146 | 149 | inclusion of Minnesota grocery stores in this program so that SNAP participants may use the | |
| 147 | 150 | vouchers for healthy produce at grocery stores. Grocery store participation is voluntary and a grocery | |
| 148 | 151 | store's associated administrative costs will not be reimbursed. | |
| 149 | 152 | 1R | |
| 150 | 153 | APPENDIX | |
| 151 | - | Repealed Minnesota Statutes: | |
| 154 | + | Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 25-02204 |