Honorable Richard Peña Raymond, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB840 by Naishtat (Relating to the eligibility of certain persons for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 33 of the Human Resources Code by adding a section that would eliminate the lifetime disqualification of an individual with a felony drug conviction from receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) estimates there would be a minimal cost associated with implementing the provisions of the bill. Based on the LBB's analysis of HHSC's response, duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished using existing resources.
If participants with felony drug convictions became eligible to receive benefits, they would also become subject to the program's Employment and Training (E&T) requirements. Some would be considered SNAP general population, and others would be considered "able bodied adults without dependents" (ABAWDs). According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the state has pledged to the Federal government to serve all non-exempt ABAWDs who are "at-risk," meaning that they are in the last month of a three-month limit, do not reside in a waiver county, and are not part of the 15 percent exemption group; SNAP general population recipients are served as funding is available. It is assumed the agency could either serve the additional ABAWDs and general population individuals through the receipt of any available additional Federal funding or by reducing services for general population clients. The Texas Workforce Commission indicates there would be approximately 2,500 new ABAWDs to serve as a result of this bill.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
320 Texas Workforce Commission, 529 Health and Human Services Commission