BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1218

By: Klick

Human Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that the current schedule of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) payments may be placing unintended strain on retailers and also leading to limited availability of products for SNAP recipients. H.B. 1218 seeks to provide for a more even schedule for the distribution of SNAP benefits each month over a 28-day period.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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 SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1218 amends the Human Resources Code to require the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission by rule to establish a schedule for the distribution of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits that ensures the even distribution of the benefits each month over a 28-day period. The bill requires the executive commissioner to adopt, modify, or repeal rules as necessary to implement that requirement not later than September 1, 2020. The distribution schedule adopted under the bill's provisions applies only to the distribution of SNAP benefits to a recipient whose initial determination of eligibility for those benefits is made on or after September 1, 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.