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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishing a pilot program for the purchase of |
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produce at farmers markets under certain nutritional assistance |
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programs. |
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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 33.039 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.039. "DOUBLE DOLLARS" PILOT PROGRAM FOR PRODUCE |
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PURCHASED AT FARMERS MARKETS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Farmers market" means a location at which a group |
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of two or more farmers that are certified under the department's |
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farmers market certification program offer produce for retail sale. |
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(2) "Nutritional assistance program" means the |
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supplemental nutrition assistance program and the special |
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supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. |
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(3) "Produce" means fresh fruits or vegetables. |
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(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall develop and the |
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department shall implement a pilot program to create a "Double |
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Dollars" program that, to the extent allowed by federal law, |
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provides an increase in the value of nutritional assistance program |
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benefits to a recipient of the benefits who resides in an area |
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included in the pilot program. The pilot program must be operated |
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in one or more areas designated by the executive commissioner as low |
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income areas. |
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(c) The pilot program increases the allowable weekly |
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benefit for the purchase of produce by $1 for every $1 used by a |
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recipient to purchase produce at a farmers market, with a total |
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benefit value not to exceed $20 a week for each nutritional |
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assistance program from which a recipient receives benefits. |
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(d) To implement the pilot program, the department may: |
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(1) seek, accept, and spend funds received through |
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grants or donations from public or private sources; and |
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(2) develop partnerships with persons or public or |
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private entities located in the areas served by the pilot program. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2015. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to supplemental nutrition assistance program and special |
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supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children |
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benefits distributed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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Benefits distributed before the effective date of this Act are |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the distribution was made, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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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, 2013. |