By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 3705
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing a pilot program for the purchase of
produce at farmers markets under certain nutritional assistance
programs.
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 33.039 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.039. "DOUBLE DOLLARS" PILOT PROGRAM FOR PRODUCE
PURCHASED AT FARMERS MARKETS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Farmers market" means a location at which a group
of two or more farmers that are certified under the department's
farmers market certification program offer produce for retail sale.
(2) "Nutritional assistance program" means the
supplemental nutrition assistance program and the special
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
(3) "Produce" means fresh fruits or vegetables.
(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall develop and the
department shall implement a pilot program to create a "Double
Dollars" program that, to the extent allowed by federal law,
provides an increase in the value of nutritional assistance program
benefits to a recipient of the benefits who resides in an area
included in the pilot program. The pilot program must be operated
in one or more areas designated by the executive commissioner as low
income areas.
(c) The pilot program increases the allowable weekly
benefit for the purchase of produce by $1 for every $1 used by a
recipient to purchase produce at a farmers market, with a total
benefit value not to exceed $20 a week for each nutritional
assistance program from which a recipient receives benefits.
(d) To implement the pilot program, the department may:
(1) seek, accept, and spend funds received through
grants or donations from public or private sources; and
(2) develop partnerships with persons or public or
private entities located in the areas served by the pilot program.
(e) This section expires September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to supplemental nutrition assistance program and special
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children
benefits distributed on or after the effective date of this Act.
Benefits distributed before the effective date of this Act are
governed by the law in effect on the date the distribution was made,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.