HB3188 - Relating to prohibiting the purchase of certain food items under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

      By: Raymond H.B. No. 3188       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to prohibiting the purchase of certain food items under   the supplemental nutrition assistance program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 33.031 to read as follows:           Sec.   33.031.     PURCHASE OF CERTAIN FOOD ITEMS PROHIBITED   UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.   (a)   In this   section:                 (1)     "Milk product" means a natural milk product   regardless of animal source or butterfat content and regardless of   whether reconstituted, including milk in liquid form, milk   concentrate, and dehydrated milk.                 (2)     "Sweetened beverage" means a nonalcoholic   beverage to which a natural or artificial sweetener is added that is   sold for human consumption, including a soft drink, a fruit or   vegetable juice, and other flavored beverages.           (b)     Except as provided by Subsection (c), a recipient may   not use supplemental nutrition assistance benefits to purchase:                 (1)  a sweetened beverage;                 (2)     candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption   without further preparation;                 (3)     potato or corn chips ordinarily packaged and sold   for consumption without further preparation; or                 (4)     cookies ordinarily packaged and sold for   consumption without further preparation.           (c)     The prohibition under Subsection (b) does not apply to   the purchase of:                 (1)     a milk product or a product containing milk or a   milk protein;                 (2)     a milk substitute, including soy milk, rice milk,   or almond milk;                 (3)     a beverage in which the only added sweetener does   not add calories to the beverage;                 (4)     a beverage intended by the manufacturer for   consumption by an infant that is commonly referred to as "infant   formula";                 (5)     a beverage intended by the manufacturer for use   for weight reduction;                 (6)     a fruit or vegetable juice to which no sugar has   been added;                 (7)     a beverage or other product intended for use as   recommended by a health care professional, as defined by Section   247.067, Health and Safety Code;                 (8)     a beverage or other product that contains plant   protein sources; or                 (9)  a product that:                       (A)  is fortified with a vitamin or mineral; and                       (B)  contains a source of protein.          SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that authorization from a federal agency   is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency   affected by the provision shall request the authorization and may   delay implementing that provision until the authorization is   granted.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.