87R3689 MM-D
By: Minjarez H.B. No. 1211
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the exclusion of certain resources in determining
eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program
during a declared state of disaster.
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 33.021 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.021. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN RESOURCES IN DETERMINING
SNAP ELIGIBILITY DURING DECLARED DISASTER. (a) In this section,
"disaster declaration" means a declaration by the governor of a
state of disaster issued under Section 418.014, Government Code.
(b) This section applies only to an applicant for or
recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance benefits who
resides in a county all or part of which is located in an area
included in a disaster declaration.
(c) In determining the eligibility of an applicant for or
recertifying the eligibility of a recipient of supplemental
nutrition assistance benefits to whom this section applies, the
commission may not consider as resources:
(1) any liquid resources of the applicant or recipient
or a member of the applicant's or recipient's household, including
the total amount of assets held in a school-based account or bond
described by Section 28.0024(b)(2), Education Code, that are
considered liquid resources, notwithstanding Section 33.0291(b) of
this code; or
(2) any motor vehicle in which the applicant or
recipient or a member of the applicant's or recipient's household
has an ownership interest.
(d) The commission shall continue excluding resources under
Subsection (c) until the state of disaster is terminated.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an
initial determination or recertification of eligibility of a person
for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33,
Human Resources Code, that is made on or after the effective date of
this Act.
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, 2021.