89R3101 MM-D
By: Blanco S.B. No. 1031
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eligibility for and benefits under the 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 Sections 33.0025 and 33.020 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0025. SNAP QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW PROCESS. (a) In
accordance with federal law, including 7 U.S.C. Section 2025(c),
the commission shall implement a quality control review process
under which the commission on a monthly basis conducts a review of a
random sample of households which are participating in the
supplemental nutrition assistance program and households for which
participation in the program was denied, suspended, or terminated
to determine whether the selected households are eligible and
receiving the correct allotment of benefits under the program.
(b) For purposes of conducting the quality control review
process, the commission may access or use appropriate electronic
data sources to verify a household's eligibility for and correct
allotment of benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance
program.
Sec. 33.020. PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN PERSONS FOR
SNAP BENEFITS. (a) Except as provided by Section 33.019(b)(3), the
commission by rule shall ensure that an individual whose
eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits
has been initially established or recertified remains eligible to
receive those benefits for a period of 12 months.
(b) The commission may adjust the eligibility period
described by Subsection (a) as necessary to align an individual's
recertification of eligibility for supplemental nutrition
assistance program benefits with the redetermination of
eligibility of a child residing in the same household for medical
assistance benefits under Chapter 32.
(c) This section does not apply to an individual receiving
supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits who:
(1) at the time the individual's eligibility for
benefits is initially established or recertified, expects a change
in circumstances within six months following the establishment or
recertification of eligibility that will make the individual
ineligible to receive the benefits;
(2) is 60 years of age or older or has a disability,
has no earned income, and resides in a household in which every
other individual residing in the household:
(A) is 60 years of age or older or has a
disability; and
(B) has no earned income; or
(3) resides in a household in which at least one
individual:
(A) is at least 18 years of age but younger than
54 years of age;
(B) has no dependents; and
(C) does not have a disability.
(d) During the 12-month eligibility period prescribed by
this section, the commission shall require that the individual
submit to the commission a periodic report indicating whether the
individual has experienced a change in income, household
composition, or residence. The commission shall require that the
individual submit the report not earlier than the fourth month and
not later than the sixth month after the date the individual's
eligibility was initially established or recertified.
(e) The commission may automate the processing of periodic
reports required under this section in which no change in
circumstances is reported.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an
initial determination or recertification of eligibility of an
individual 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, 2025.