HF3603 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Commissioner of children, youth, and families directed to request a federal waiver to prohibit the purchase of certain items with SNAP benefits.
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- The bill would require the commissioner of children, youth, and families to pursue a federal demonstration waiver to restrict how SNAP benefits can be used. Specifically, it aims to prohibit purchasing candy, energy drinks, and soda with SNAP benefits.
Main Provisions
- Waiver request deadline: The commissioner must submit a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by January 1, 2027.
- Waiver basis: The request would be for a demonstration waiver under 7 U.S. Code 282.1 (federal regulations) to prohibit SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, and soda.
- Program name: This effort is titled the “SNAP Healthy Food Choice Demonstration Waiver.”
Key Definitions (for enforcement and scope)
- Candy: A product involving sugar or artificial sweeteners combined with chocolate, fruits, nuts, caramels, gummies, hard candies, or similar ingredients, in bars, drops, or pieces.
- Energy drink: A beverage with at least 65 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces, advertised to provide metabolic stimulation or increased energy. Not including coffee or tea or beverages substantially based on coffee or tea.
- Soda: A beverage made with carbonated water and flavored or sweetened with added sugar or sweeteners (e.g., corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, sugar, etc.). Exceptions include carbonated water that is plain or naturally flavored, or any beverage that is more than 50% fruit or vegetable juice by volume, or that has less than five grams of added sugar.
Implementation Timeline and Process
- The waiver request would be submitted to the USDA by a specified deadline (January 1, 2027). If approved, the restriction on SNAP purchases would take effect as allowed by the waiver and related federal guidance.
How the bill Changes Existing Law
- Establishes a new state-government action to seek a federal waiver that would restrict SNAP purchases of certain items (candy, energy drinks, soda).
- Creates a framework for treating these specific items as ineligible for purchase with SNAP benefits, contingent on federal approval.
- Does not enact immediate changes to SNAP benefits themselves until the waiver is granted and implemented.
Relevant terms - SNAP benefits - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Demonstration waiver - 7 CFR 282.1 (federal regulations) - candy - energy drink - caffeine - soda - added sugar - fruit juice - vegetable juice - Commissioner of Children, Youth and Families - Healthy Food Choice Demonstration Waiver
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Upcoming committee meetings
- Children and Families Finance and Policy on: March 24, 2026 15:00
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 23, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Children and Families Finance and Policy | |
| February 25, 2026 | House | Action | Author added | ||
| March 12, 2026 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill references federal regulation 7 C.F.R. § 282.1 as the authority for a waiver to prohibit SNAP purchases of candy, energy drinks, and soda, which the commissioner would submit under the proposed demonstration waiver.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "7 CFR 282.1",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee