83R11975 ADM-F
By: Raymond H.B. No. 3434
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to incentives for using supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits to purchase nutritious foods.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 33.0252 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0252. PILOT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY FOOD
CHOICES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Nutritious food" means a healthy food item
approved by the department for the purposes of the pilot program.
(2) "Retailer" means a business approved for
participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
(b) The department shall establish a pilot program under
which:
(1) a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits receives additional benefits at the point of sale
toward future purchases if the recipient purchases a nutritious
food; and
(2) a retailer is authorized to promote to a recipient
of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits that the
recipient may receive additional benefits as a result of nutritious
food purchases under the pilot program.
(c) The executive commissioner may adopt rules as necessary
to implement the pilot program. Rules adopted under this section
must include a list of nutritious foods approved for purposes of the
pilot program.
(d) Not later than September 1 of each year, the department
shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the pilot
program. The report must include an analysis of whether the
additional benefits provided under the program have resulted in
increased use of supplemental nutrition assistance program
benefits on nutritious food purchases.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2018.
SECTION 2. As soon as possible after the effective date of
this Act, the Health and Human Services Commission shall apply for
and actively pursue from the United States Department of
Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service or other appropriate federal
agency any waiver or other authorization necessary to implement
this Act. The commission may delay implementing this Act until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.