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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to annually adjusting for inflation the maximum amount of |
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a motor vehicle excluded in determining eligibility for the |
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supplemental nutrition assistance program. |
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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 33.0215 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.0215. ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE |
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VALUE EXCLUDED IN DETERMINING SNAP ELIGIBILITY. (a) The executive |
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commissioner by rule shall adjust for inflation in the manner |
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specified by Subsection (b) the maximum amount of the fair market |
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value of the highest valued motor vehicle that may be excluded from |
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the resources of an applicant's household for purposes of |
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determining the applicant's eligibility for supplemental nutrition |
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assistance program benefits, including eligibility determined in |
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accordance with 7 C.F.R. Section 273.2(j). |
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(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the maximum |
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amount of the fair market value of the motor vehicle described by |
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Subsection (a) that may be excluded from an applicant's resources |
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must be increased or decreased to reflect the percentage difference |
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between: |
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(1) the average index level set by the Bureau of Labor |
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Statistics; and |
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(2) the new vehicles index of the Consumer Price Index |
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for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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or its successor index during the most recent 12-month period |
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ending in June. |
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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. |