82R7121 SJM-D
By: Raymond H.B. No. 1151
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting the purchase of certain food items under
the supplemental nutritional assistance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is amended by
adding Section 33.030 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.030. PURCHASE OF CERTAIN FOOD ITEMS PROHIBITED
UNDER SNAP. (a) In this section:
(1) "Milk product" means a natural milk product
regardless of animal source or butterfat content and regardless of
whether reconstituted, including milk in liquid form, milk
concentrate, and dehydrated milk.
(2) "Sugary food item" means a food item to which a
natural or artificial sweetener is added that contains more than 10
calories per 8 ounces of the item.
(3) "Sweetened beverage" means a nonalcoholic
beverage to which a natural or artificial sweetener is added that is
sold for human consumption, including a soft drink, a fruit or
vegetable juice, and other flavored beverages.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a recipient may
not use supplemental nutritional assistance benefits to purchase:
(1) a sweetened beverage;
(2) another sugary food item; or
(3) any food item, regardless of natural or artificial
sweetener content, that contains more than 10 grams of fat per
serving, according to the manufacturer's label on the food or other
documentation by the manufacturer, as required by state or federal
law.
(c) The prohibition under Subsection (b) does not apply to
the purchase of:
(1) a milk product;
(2) a milk substitute, including soy milk, rice milk,
or almond milk;
(3) a beverage in which the only added sweetener does
not add calories to the beverage;
(4) a beverage intended by the manufacturer for
consumption by an infant that is commonly referred to as "infant
formula";
(5) a beverage intended by the manufacturer for use
for weight reduction; or
(6) a fruit or vegetable juice to which no sugar has
been added.
SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that authorization from a federal agency
is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency
affected by the provision shall request the authorization and may
delay implementing that provision until the authorization is
granted.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.