The Texas House Committee on Health & Human Services recently heard House Bill 5243, introduced by Representative Stan Gerdes. The bill aims to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from purchasing certain junk foods and sugary drinks. Its Senate counterpart, SB 379, sponsored by Senator Middleton, was approved by the Senate with a 22-8 vote on March 31.
Gerdes explained that studies have shown up to 20% of SNAP expenditures are spent on sweetened beverages like soda, prepared desserts, candies, and salty snacks.
“The bottom line is that taxpayer-funded junk food turns into taxpayer-funded healthcare later on. HB 5243 ensures that taxpayer dollars allocated for nutrition assistance are used for healthier food options,” he said.
The committee hearing featured testimony from both supporters and opponents of the bill. Among those in favor were Brigham Buhler and Travis McCormick, founder of Make Texans Healthy Again. Opponents included John McCord from the Texas Retailers Association and Amber O’Conner from Every Texan.
SNAP, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budgets, allowing them access to nutritious food essential for health and well-being.
According to ABC News, several other states such as Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Utah, and West Virginia have passed or are considering similar legislation restricting SNAP funds for certain junk foods.
If enacted, these states must request a waiver from the Department of Agriculture to prevent SNAP benefits from being used for those purchases. Secretary Brooke Rollins has said she would approve all such waivers.
Representative Lacey Hull chairs the House Health & Human Services Committee and is involved with bills under the Make Texas Healthy Again legislative agenda. However, she has not scheduled HB 5243 for a vote and has left it pending in committee. Hull did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the bill’s status and potential vote.