Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that limits SNAP benefits in Texas.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance programs benefits to use those benefits to purchase the following (Sec. 1):

• An energy drink;

• A sweetened beverage;

• A carbonated beverage;

• A candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation;

• Potato or corn chips that are ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation; or

• Cookies that are ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation.

• Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to the purchase of the following (Sec. 1):

• A milk product or a product, other than an energy drink, containing milk or a milk protein;

• A milk substitute, including soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk;

• A beverage, other than an energy drink or carbonated beverage, in which the only added sweetener does not add calories to the beverage;

• A beverage intended by the manufacturer for consumption by an infant that is commonly referred to as "infant formula";

• A beverage, other than a carbonated beverage, intended by the manufacturer for use for weight reduction;

• A fruit or vegetable juice, other than a carbonated beverage, to which no sugar has been added;

• A beverage or other product, other than a carbonated beverage, intended for use as recommended by a healthcare professional, as defined by Section 247.067, Health and Safety Code;

• A beverage or other product, other than a carbonated beverage, that contains plant protein sources; or

• A product, other than an energy drink or carbonated beverage, that:

• Is fortified with a vitamin or mineral; and

• Contains a source of protein.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that limits SNAP benefits in Texas.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance programs benefits to use those benefits to purchase the following (Sec. 1):

• An energy drink;

• A sweetened beverage;

• A carbonated beverage;

• A candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation;

• Potato or corn chips that are ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation; or

• Cookies that are ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation.

• Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to the purchase of the following (Sec. 1):

• A milk product or a product, other than an energy drink, containing milk or a milk protein;

• A milk substitute, including soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk;

• A beverage, other than an energy drink or carbonated beverage, in which the only added sweetener does not add calories to the beverage;

• A beverage intended by the manufacturer for consumption by an infant that is commonly referred to as "infant formula";

• A beverage, other than a carbonated beverage, intended by the manufacturer for use for weight reduction;

• A fruit or vegetable juice, other than a carbonated beverage, to which no sugar has been added;

• A beverage or other product, other than a carbonated beverage, intended for use as recommended by a healthcare professional, as defined by Section 247.067, Health and Safety Code;

• A beverage or other product, other than a carbonated beverage, that contains plant protein sources; or

• A product, other than an energy drink or carbonated beverage, that:

• Is fortified with a vitamin or mineral; and

• Contains a source of protein.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits SNAP benefits in Texas.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance programs benefits to use those benefits to purchase the following (Sec. 1):

• An energy drink;

• A sweetened beverage;

• A carbonated beverage;

• A candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation;

• Potato or corn chips that are ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation; or

• Cookies that are ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption without further preparation.

• Specifies that the prohibition does not apply to the purchase of the following (Sec. 1):

• A milk product or a product, other than an energy drink, containing milk or a milk protein;

• A milk substitute, including soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk;

• A beverage, other than an energy drink or carbonated beverage, in which the only added sweetener does not add calories to the beverage;

• A beverage intended by the manufacturer for consumption by an infant that is commonly referred to as "infant formula";

• A beverage, other than a carbonated beverage, intended by the manufacturer for use for weight reduction;

• A fruit or vegetable juice, other than a carbonated beverage, to which no sugar has been added;

• A beverage or other product, other than a carbonated beverage, intended for use as recommended by a healthcare professional, as defined by Section 247.067, Health and Safety Code;

• A beverage or other product, other than a carbonated beverage, that contains plant protein sources; or

• A product, other than an energy drink or carbonated beverage, that:

• Is fortified with a vitamin or mineral; and

• Contains a source of protein.

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text