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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility of certain students enrolled in a |
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postsecondary educational institution for supplemental nutrition |
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assistance program benefits. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 33.020 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.020. SNAP ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED |
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IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) In this section, |
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"postsecondary educational institution" includes: |
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(1) an institution of higher education or a private or |
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independent institution of higher education, as those terms are |
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defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and |
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(2) a career school or college, as defined by Section |
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132.001, Education Code. |
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(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules consistent |
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with federal law to provide supplemental nutrition assistance |
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program benefits to students enrolled in a postsecondary |
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educational institution. The rules must: |
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(1) identify the types of postsecondary degrees or |
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programs in which a student must be enrolled to qualify for the |
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benefits, including participation in any work placement or unpaid |
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internship associated with a postsecondary educational |
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institution; and |
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(2) ensure a student remains eligible for the benefits |
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during a break in the semester or academic term of the postsecondary |
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educational institution in which the student is enrolled. |
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(c) The executive commissioner shall establish a work group |
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to provide input for the adoption of rules under Subsection (b). In |
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adopting the rules, the executive commissioner shall consider the |
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work group's input. |
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(d) The work group must be composed of at least 9 but not |
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more than 13 members who are representatives of: |
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(1) postsecondary educational institutions; or |
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(2) nonprofit organizations that serve low-income |
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individuals, as defined by the executive commissioner. |
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(e) The executive commissioner shall: |
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(1) ensure work group members represent various types |
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of postsecondary educational institutions located throughout this |
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state; and |
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(2) appoint one work group member to serve as |
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presiding officer. |
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(f) The work group is automatically abolished on the |
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adoption of rules under Subsection (b). |
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(g) Subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) and this subsection |
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expire September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 31, 2025, the |
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executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission |
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shall establish the work group required by Section 33.020, Human |
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Resources Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) Not later than December 31, 2026, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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adopt the rules required by Section 33.020, Human Resources Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |