BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 379
	By: Middleton
	Health & Human Services
	8/20/2025
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There are concerns that many of the foods purchased through the state's SNAP program lack nutritional value and that this is contributing to the state's obesity epidemic. With a few exceptions, current statute and rules allow SNAP benefits to be used to purchase nearly any food item. S.B. 379 seeks to address the issue by preventing SNAP benefits from being used to purchase food and drinks that provide little-to-no nutritional value. The bill enumerates goods that are ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

S.B. 379 amends current law relating to prohibiting the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 33.031, as follows:

Sec. 33.031. PURCHASE OF SWEETENED DRINKS AND CANDY PROHIBITED UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) Defines "sweetened drink."

(b) Prohibits a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits from using those benefits to purchase a sweetened drink or candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation.

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, 2025.