By: Klick, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Perry) H.B. No. 1218
         (In the Senate - Received from the House March 27, 2019;
  April 1, 2019, read first time and referred to Committee on Health &
  Human Services; May 1, 2019, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 1, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the distribution of benefits under the supplemental
  nutrition assistance program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 33.002, Human Resources Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:
         (c-1)  The executive commissioner by rule shall establish a
  schedule for the distribution of supplemental nutrition assistance
  program benefits that ensures the even distribution of the benefits
  each month over a 28-day period. 
         SECTION 2.  Not later than September 1, 2020, the executive
  commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  adopt, modify, or repeal rules as necessary to implement Section
  33.002(c-1), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  A distribution schedule adopted as required by
  Section 33.002(c-1), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act,
  applies only to the distribution of supplemental nutrition
  assistance program benefits to a recipient whose initial
  determination of eligibility under Chapter 33, Human Resources
  Code, for those benefits is made on or after September 1, 2020. The
  distribution of benefits to a recipient whose initial determination
  of eligibility under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, is made
  before September 1, 2020, is governed by the distribution schedule
  in effect immediately preceding that date, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
  a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
  federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
  the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
  authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
  waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
 
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