HF3603

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