86R13400 MM-D
By: Walle, et al. H.B. No. 2335
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the disaster supplemental nutrition assistance
program.
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 33.0025 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0025. DISASTER SNAP. (a) In this section,
"program" means the program to provide supplemental nutrition
assistance benefits to victims of a disaster as authorized by 7
U.S.C. Section 2014.
(b) The commission shall:
(1) collaborate with county judges to:
(A) evaluate, develop, and maintain a list of
potential sites that meet federal requirements for in-person
application for program benefits; and
(B) annually update the list developed under
Paragraph (A); and
(2) assess the feasibility of, subject to being
granted any necessary federal waiver:
(A) accepting program benefits applications
online and by telephone; and
(B) staffing a high-volume call center to process
those applications.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act:
(1) the Health and Human Services Commission shall
consult with federal officials, including the members of the Texas
delegation to the United States Senate and House of Representatives
and the United States Department of Agriculture regarding repealing
the in-person application requirement for supplemental nutrition
assistance benefits for victims of a disaster; and
(2) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall, if necessary, develop and seek a waiver
or other appropriate authorization from the United States secretary
of agriculture to allow submission of applications online and by
telephone for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits for
victims of a disaster.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.