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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 and drink |
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items under 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 AND DRINKS PROHIBITED |
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UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) Subject to |
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Subsection (b), the executive commissioner by rule shall, in |
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consultation with the department, develop and publish on the |
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commission's Internet website a list of food and drink items that a |
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recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance benefits may not |
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purchase with those benefits. |
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(b) In developing the list under Subsection (a), the |
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executive commissioner: |
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(1) shall consider the nutritional value of the food |
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and drink items; and |
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(2) may not prohibit any single ingredient food or |
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drink item. |
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(c) Except as expressly required by federal law, a recipient |
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of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits may not use |
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those benefits to purchase any food or drink item on the list |
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established under Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. 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 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |