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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to prohibiting the purchase of certain food items under |
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the 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 33.031 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 33.031. PURCHASE OF CERTAIN FOOD ITEMS PROHIBITED |
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UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) In this |
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section: |
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(1) "Milk product" means a natural milk product |
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regardless of animal source or butterfat content and regardless of |
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whether reconstituted, including milk in liquid form, milk |
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concentrate, and dehydrated milk. |
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(2) "Sweetened beverage" means a nonalcoholic |
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beverage to which a natural or artificial sweetener is added that is |
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sold for human consumption, including a soft drink, a fruit or |
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vegetable juice, and other flavored beverages. |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a recipient may |
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not use supplemental nutrition assistance benefits to purchase: |
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(1) a sweetened beverage; |
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(2) candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption |
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without further preparation; |
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(3) potato or corn chips ordinarily packaged and sold |
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for consumption without further preparation; or |
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(4) cookies ordinarily packaged and sold for |
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consumption without further preparation. |
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(c) The prohibition under Subsection (b) does not apply to |
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the purchase of: |
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(1) a milk product or a product containing milk or a |
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milk protein; |
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(2) a milk substitute, including soy milk, rice milk, |
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or almond milk; |
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(3) a beverage in which the only added sweetener does |
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not add calories to the beverage; |
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(4) a beverage intended by the manufacturer for |
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consumption by an infant that is commonly referred to as "infant |
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formula"; |
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(5) a beverage intended by the manufacturer for use |
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for weight reduction; |
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(6) a fruit or vegetable juice to which no sugar has |
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been added; |
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(7) a beverage or other product intended for use as |
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recommended by a health care professional, as defined by Section |
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247.067, Health and Safety Code; |
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(8) a beverage or other product that contains plant |
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protein sources; or |
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(9) a product that: |
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(A) is fortified with a vitamin or mineral; and |
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(B) contains a source of protein. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that authorization from a federal agency |
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is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency |
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affected by the provision shall request the authorization and may |
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delay implementing that provision until the authorization is |
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granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |