By: Blanco, Powell S.B. No. 1914

(In the Senate - Filed March 12, 2021; April 1, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Health & Human Services; May 11, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0, one present not voting; May 11, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1914 By: Powell

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to annually adjusting for inflation the maximum amount of a motor vehicle excluded in determining eligibility for 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 Section 33.0215 to read as follows:

Sec. 33.0215. ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE VALUE EXCLUDED IN DETERMINING SNAP ELIGIBILITY. (a) The executive commissioner by rule shall adjust for inflation in the manner specified by Subsection (b) the maximum amount of the fair market value of a motor vehicle that may be excluded from the resources of an applicant's household for purposes of determining the applicant's eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, including eligibility determined in accordance with 7 C.F.R. Section 273.2(j).

(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the maximum amount of the fair market value of a motor vehicle described by Subsection (a) that may be excluded from an applicant's resources must be increased or decreased to reflect the percentage difference between:

(1) the average index level set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and

(2) the new vehicles index of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or its successor index during the most recent 12-month period ending in June.

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.

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