Texas House lawmakers approved legislation prohibiting the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the purchase of sweetened soft drinks.
Senate Bill 379 defines “sweetened soft drinks” as “a nonalcoholic beverage made with carbonated water that contains five grams or more of added sugar or artificial sweeteners.”
The prohibition does not apply to beverages that contain any milk or milk substitute, or that contain more than fifty percent vegetable or fruit juice.
Authored by State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R–Galveston), the version originally passed in the Senate included candy, cookies, potato chips, corn chips, and energy drinks. The House Human Services Committee removed those groups.
The bill passed the House by an 88-47 vote. However, its execution is dependent on receiving a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture.
Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott sent a formal request for a waiver to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to be able to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits to purchase sweetened drinks and candy.
“SNAP serves more than 3.2 million Texans each year and provides more than $7 billion in taxpayer funding to support access to food for those in need,” wrote Abbott. “SNAP was created to increase access to nutritious food; however, many SNAP purchases are for food with little to no nutritious value.”
Abbott also explained that for the first time since the establishment of the SNAP program, states can take steps to help ensure that taxpayer dollars are going to buy healthy and nutritious food.
“I look forward to the opportunities this approach will bring to improve the health and quality of life for low-income Texans.”
The legislation requires one more vote before returning to the Senate. If the Senate approves the House’s changes, the bill will go to the governor.
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