SNAP Junk Food Ban Lets Milk Chocolate Back In

The text as introduced · 410 words

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.