BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1151
87R9567 MM-D	By: Kolkhorst
	Health & Human Services
	4/12/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA provides states and territories with a variety of policy and administrative flexibilities and options to adopt per the need of each state and territory.

States have the option to offer SNAP benefits as a transitional benefits alternative for families leaving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state-funded cash assistance programs. Transitional benefits provide a set benefit amount for up to five months with adjustments for the loss of TANF income. Currently, Texas is one of 30 states and territories that does not offer its residents SNAP transition benefits.

S.B. 1151 seeks to have Texas join the other 23 states and territories that provide assistance to individuals and families who are transitioning off of welfare programs but who may still need food assistance during their transition period off of welfare programs.

As proposed, S.B. 1151 amends current law relating to the provision of transitional supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to certain households.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 33.0151, Human Resources Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 33.0151, as follows:

�Sec. 33.0151.  TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS ALTERNATIVE.� (a) Requires that the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (executive commissioner) adopt rules in accordance with 7 U.S.C. Section 2020(s) and 7 C.F.R. Part 273, Subpart H, to provide transitional supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits to a household:

(1)  that ceases to receive cash assistance under the financial assistance program established under Chapter 31 (Financial Assistance and Service Programs) and funded under Part A, Title IV, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 601 et seq.); or

(2)  with children that ceases to receive cash assistance under a state-funded public assistance program.

(b) Requires the executive commissioner, in adopting rules under this section, to ensure that each household that qualifies for transitional SNAP benefits receives the benefits for the maximum period allowed under federal law.

SECTION 2. Requires a state agency, if necessary for implementation of a provision of this Act, to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency, and authorizes a delay of implementation until such a waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021. �