HB 4971
bill barring SNAP purchases with seven listed additives
Died in committee
Verdict: No flags
Initial review · graded Oct 19, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to prohibiting the purchase of food or drink items containing certain food additives under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Red dye 3 and titanium dioxide are off the SNAP list.
This bill bars people from using SNAP food benefits to buy any food or drink that contains one of seven listed additives, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, red dye 3 and titanium dioxide. It affects Texans who get SNAP benefits and the stores that accept those benefits. If a state agency decides it needs federal permission first, it must ask for a waiver and can hold off until that waiver is granted, and the bill takes effect immediately or on September 1, 2025.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Mar 13, 2025 and referred to the House Human Services committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB4971 · 2025-03-13
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to prohibiting the purchase of food or drink items containing certain food additives under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
WHAT IT DOES
Red dye 3 and titanium dioxide are off the SNAP list.
This bill bars people from using SNAP food benefits to buy any food or drink that contains one of seven listed additives, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, red dye 3 and titanium dioxide. It affects Texans who get SNAP benefits and the stores that accept those benefits. If a state agency decides it needs federal permission first, it must ask for a waiver and can hold off until that waiver is granted, and the bill takes effect immediately or on September 1, 2025.
CHARGES
[ ] NONE FOUND
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to Human Services
FILED UNDER
Beats not yet reviewed.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to May 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$5,000.00
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101033926.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Teans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$5,000.00
- Cash
- $5,000.00
- Paid by others
- $0.00
- Total
- $5,000.00
Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Sources
Derived itemized flow · on Jul 3, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101033926.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 19, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025
04/03/2025 H Referred to Human Services: Apr 3 2025 12:38PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Human Services · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Health--General
Human Services--Food Programs
Minors--Health & Safety
FOOD
Text
The text as introduced · 243 words
89R8480 AND-D By: Cain H.B. No. 4971 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to prohibiting the purchase of food or drink items containing certain food additives 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 FOOD AND DRINK ITEMS CONTAINING CERTAIN FOOD ADDITIVES PROHIBITED UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Except as expressly required by federal law, a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits may not use those benefits to purchase any food or drink item that contains the following substances: (1) brominated vegetable oil (BVO); (2) potassium bromate; (3) propylparaben; (4) azodicarbonamide; (5) butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); (6) red dye 3; or (7) titanium dioxide. SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.