Meeting Public Comments

Andrea Cook [Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community]

How many EBT fraud cases have there been in Iowa in the last 20 years? This bill is a solution in search of a problem.According to USDA, SNAP fraud is 1%.Unauthorized possession of 1 EBT card, let alone 3, is already defined asa fraudulent practice pursuant to Iowa code section 234.13.A law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe a person hasunauthorized possession of an EBT card can choose to make a report to theDIA.DIAs (EBT)/Program Integrity Unit conductsinvestigations related to the misuse and trafficking of EBT cards.Fraudulent practice is a misdemeanor punishable with prison time, fines, and inthe case of fraudulent practice related to the food assistance program, temporarysuspension, up to a permanent ban from the Food Assistance program.This bill would lead to profiling based on race and class, not to mention adding to our prison system. There are a number of reasons that a person could legally be in possession of anEBT card that does not match the name on their ID. As a food pantry director during this pandemic, husbands and wives often carry their family's EBT card, even if their name isn't on it.This bill has the potential for racial bias and profiling of individuals by lawenforcement officers. Iowas criminal justice system has some of the greatestracial disparities in the nation, and this bill sends a message that iscounterproductive to the Governors focus on criminal justice reform.We should be focusing on solutions to help people facing food insecurity in ourstate right now. This bill reinforces harmful myths about the foodassistance/SNAP program and the people who participate in it.

Jane Broughton []

I oppose making it harder for poor people to use the limited funds received for food and shelter, especially during a pandemic that we are trying to control and get people back on their feet.

Tom Chapman [Iowa Catholic Conference]

The Iowa Catholic Conference is registered as opposed to SSB 1061. We think the bill is unnecessary because unauthorized possession of even one EBT card is already defined as a fraudulent practice pursuant to Iowa Code section 234.13. According to the USDA, over 99 percent of those receiving SNAP benefits are eligible.Its also not clear what probable cause would be and if this bill would contribute to disparities in racial treatment.

John Boller [Coralville Community Food Pantry]

SSB 1061 is a frivolous and potentially discriminatory piece of legislation that will cause harm to Iowans who simply need food to survive. The potential for racial and class profiling in this bill is highlaw enforcement officers do not need another reason to interrogate poor people and people of color. Let's work towards solutions that make it EASIER for families who are struggling to make it through these increasingly challenging times, not HARDER. On behalf of the Coralville Community Food Pantry, it's board, staff, volunteers, and community members, I strongly oppose SSB 1061.

Laura Hessburg [Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence]

The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) represents 22 crime victim service provider agencies across Iowa and the collective experience of agency staff who dedicate their lives to supporting victims of violent crime, specifically survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Our direct service providers routinely witness the pain and suffering of crime victims, as well as their stunning resilience in surviving repeated violent acts (often over the course of months and years), inflicted on their minds and bodies by people they know and care about. We urge you to reject SSB 1061, legislation seeking to address perceived fraud concerns regarding the use of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards many Iowans eligible for food stamps use to purchase food. This bill reinforces harmful myths about Iowans who receive food assistance through the SNAP program and is at odds with Governor Reynolds efforts to address profiling by law enforcement based on race and income level. Bottom line: This legislation is unnecessary. Unauthorized use of an EBT card is already a fraudulent practice and the prevalence of SNAP trafficking fraud is extremely rare. There are urgent food security needs in Iowa and we urge legislators to prioritize addressing these issues instead of a perceived problem with fraud in the SNAP program. The SNAP program is a lifeline for individuals and children impacted by domestic abuse. Although physical abuse is common in domestic violence relationships, financial abuse is more pervasive and often inflicts longerlasting damage. Financial abuse is coercive tactic used by virtually every abusive partner that involves withholding, sabotaging, and stealing a partners financial assets.Coercive partners are acutely aware of the link between a victims financial independence and access to safety. Financial abuse remains one of the most powerful methods of keeping a person trapped in the relationship. Often abusive partners will report survivors as "cheating on benefits" if they try to leave. Legislation like this makes it even easier for abusive partners to pull victims into a police investigation and puts access to food in jeopardy or forces them to return to an abusive relationship to avoid hunger and homelessness. Financial security is critical to increasing a survivors chance of escaping abuse but escaping generally means losing financial security. Victims routinely balance the risk of staying in an abusive relationship with the reality experiencing poverty, including hunger and homelessness if they leave. SNAP and other public safety net programs are essential to providing some economic security to individuals and children fleeing abuseand often provide the extra boost needed to regain financial security. Please reject this unnecessary and harmful bill that threatens food security, perpetuates harmful myths about Iowans experiencing food insecurity, and encourages profiling and penalizing lowincome Iowans in contrast to efforts by the Governor to address hunger and racial disparities in our criminal legal system.

Martin Boller []

I strongly oppose this bill Right now with so many people across the state facing food insecurity this is not the time to go fishing for ways to cut costs. Giving authorities unchecked permission to profile individuals will only lead to more social injustice.

Nora Heaton []

I am writing to voice opposition to SSB 1061. In my view, EBT fraud is absolutely not a problem near prevalent enough to require additional legislation like this bill. Instead, I fear it will create more opportunities for people experiencing real hardship to be questioned in ways that are intrusive at best, traumatizing at worst. Legislation like this strikes me as almost certain to be harmful rather than helpful. If your goal is to preserve the integrity of the EBT system, please focus on its accessibility instead. There are plenty of experts fighting food insecurity in Iowa who are eager and willing to speak with you about more appropriate solutions to the issue of hunger, and I would urge you as an Iowan to listen to these voices.