Raymond's bill will again attempt to curtail junkfood purchases with SNAP benefits

Laredo state representative Richard Pena Raymond filed a total of 99 bills for the current state legislative session. One of his bills, HB 751 seeks to prohibit the purchase of certain "junk" food under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.

In particular, HB 751 seeks to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for certain items.

(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.

 HB 751 goes on to stipulate some exceptions, not all of which I have listed below. These two in particular would seem to allow for the purchase of diet drinks (Diet Coke) and some weight-loss beverages such as Slim Fast perhaps.

If these exemptions increase the likelihood of the bill's passage, it might be worthwhile. I understand that last time around, lobbyists such as grocers and soft drink companies came out in force against the previous bill.

(c)  The prohibition under Subsection (b) does not apply

 to the purchase of:

a beverage in which the only added sweetener does not add

calories to the beverage;

a beverage intended by the manufacturer for use for

weight reduction;