86R13400 MM-D
 
  By: Walle, Hernandez, Raymond, et al. H.B. No. 2335
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the disaster supplemental nutrition assistance
  program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Section 33.0025 to read as follows:
         Sec. 33.0025.  DISASTER SNAP. (a) In this section,
  "program" means the program to provide supplemental nutrition
  assistance benefits to victims of a disaster as authorized by 7
  U.S.C. Section 2014. 
         (b)  The commission shall:
               (1)  collaborate with county judges to:
                     (A)  evaluate, develop, and maintain a list of
  potential sites that meet federal requirements for in-person
  application for program benefits; and
                     (B)  annually update the list developed under
  Paragraph (A); and
               (2)  assess the feasibility of, subject to being
  granted any necessary federal waiver:
                     (A)  accepting program benefits applications
  online and by telephone; and
                     (B)  staffing a high-volume call center to process
  those applications.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act:
               (1)  the Health and Human Services Commission shall
  consult with federal officials, including the members of the Texas
  delegation to the United States Senate and House of Representatives
  and the United States Department of Agriculture regarding repealing
  the in-person application requirement for supplemental nutrition
  assistance benefits for victims of a disaster; and
               (2)  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall, if necessary, develop and seek a waiver
  or other appropriate authorization from the United States secretary
  of agriculture to allow submission of applications online and by
  telephone for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits for
  victims of a disaster.
         SECTION 3.  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.