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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 sweetened soft drinks 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 SWEETENED SOFT DRINKS PROHIBITED |
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UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) In this |
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section, "sweetened soft drink" means a nonalcoholic beverage made |
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with carbonated water that contains five grams or more of added |
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sugar or artificial sweeteners. The term does not include a |
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beverage that contains: |
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(1) milk or milk products; |
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(2) soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes; or |
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(3) more than 50 percent of vegetable or fruit juice by |
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volume. |
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(b) A recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance |
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program benefits may not use those benefits to purchase a sweetened |
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soft drink. |
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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 September 1, 2025. |