BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1827

By: Gonzalez, Naomi

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to recent government agency estimates, more than 4 million Texans currently receive supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits. Interested parties have noted that some retailers who accept SNAP benefits sometimes advertise certain junk food and drink items as being eligible for purchase using those benefits. Concerned parties contend that this type of advertising only serves to promote unhealthy eating choices and that, given the growing concerns regarding obesity and health in Texas, this advertising practice needs to be curbed. H.B. 1827 seeks to address this issue by placing some restrictions on advertising by certain retailers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTIONS 1 and 2 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1827 amends the Human Resources Code to prohibit a retailer approved for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) from affixing a tag or sticker to or displaying a sign near food or drink items with minimal nutritional value that advertises the retailer's participation in SNAP or encourages recipients of SNAP benefits to purchase those food or drink items.  The bill requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, not later than January 1, 2014, to define "minimal nutritional value" by rule for purposes of the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.