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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the exclusion of certain resources in determining |
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eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program |
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during a declared state of disaster. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 33.021 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.021. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN RESOURCES IN DETERMINING |
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SNAP ELIGIBILITY DURING DECLARED DISASTER. (a) In this section, |
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"disaster declaration" means a declaration by the governor of a |
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state of disaster issued under Section 418.014, Government Code. |
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(b) This section applies only to an applicant for or |
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recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance benefits who |
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resides in a county all or part of which is located in an area |
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included in a disaster declaration. |
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(c) In determining the eligibility of an applicant for or |
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recertifying the eligibility of a recipient of supplemental |
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nutrition assistance benefits to whom this section applies, the |
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commission may not consider as resources: |
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(1) any liquid resources of the applicant or recipient |
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or a member of the applicant's or recipient's household, including |
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the total amount of assets held in a school-based account or bond |
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described by Section 28.0024(b)(2), Education Code, that are |
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considered liquid resources, notwithstanding Section 33.0291(b) of |
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this code; or |
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(2) any motor vehicle in which the applicant or |
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recipient or a member of the applicant's or recipient's household |
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has an ownership interest. |
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(d) The commission shall continue excluding resources under |
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Subsection (c) until the state of disaster is terminated. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an |
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initial determination or recertification of eligibility of a person |
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for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33, |
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Human Resources Code, that is made on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |