By: Shapleigh, Hinojosa S.B. No. 1088
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of food stamp benefits at farmers markets.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by
adding Section 33.0024 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0024. USE OF FOOD STAMP BENEFITS AT FARMERS
MARKETS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Farmers market" has the meaning assigned by
Section 15.001, Agriculture Code.
(2) "Lone Star Card" means the card issued by the
Health and Human Services Commission to deliver benefits under the
food stamp program and the financial assistance program established
under Chapter 31.
(b) The department, in cooperation with the Department of
Agriculture, shall take all action necessary to ensure that
recipients of food stamp benefits may use those benefits to
purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and other food at farmers
markets.
(c) Action required under Subsection (b) includes:
(1) ensuring the availability of Lone Star Card
terminals at each farmers market so that food stamp recipients may
use Lone Star Cards to make purchases at the market;
(2) providing training and technical assistance to
managers and vendors at farmers markets regarding acceptance of the
Lone Star Card; and
(3) conducting an outreach campaign to inform food
stamp recipients of the ability to use Lone Star Cards at farmers
markets.
SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.