HSB 216 (LSB 2871YC (1) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL BY CHAIRPERSON NORDMAN)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the double up food bucks program, the supplemental nutrition assistance program, including a waiver for eligible foods, and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES —— DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM —— SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION.  There is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the department of health and human services for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, in addition to any other funding appropriated for such purposes for the same fiscal year, the following amount or so much thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purposes designated:
   To provide grants to support the double up food bucks program administered by the Iowa healthiest state initiative to make fresh fruits and vegetables sold at farmers markets, grocery stores, and other participating locations accessible to individuals and families who reside in this state and receive assistance through the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program:
   ...................................................................... $  1,000,000

   A grant recipient that receives funding pursuant to this section shall provide at least a dollar-for-dollar match of the grant assistance.
   Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated under this section shall not revert at the close of the fiscal year, but shall remain available for the purposes designated.
    Sec. 2.  SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM —— ELIGIBLE FOODS.
   1.  The department of health and human services shall request a waiver from the food and nutrition service of the United States department of agriculture to provide that, for purposes of state administration of the supplemental food and nutrition program, eligible foods as defined in 7 C.F.R. §271.2 shall only include items from the following categories:
   a.  Real eggs.
   b.  Real meat.
   c.  Real dairy.
   d.  Bread and grains.
   e.  All fruits and vegetables.
   f.  All cereals and hot cereals, including granola.
   g.  Peanut butter and nuts.
   h.  Pasta, rice, and legumes.
   i.  Any item as specified in the most current Iowa special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children approved foods list published by the department of health and human services.
   2.  All eligible foods may be fresh, frozen, canned, preserved, made into spreads, or juiced.
   3.  For purposes of this section:
   a.  “Real dairy” means the products made from the lacteal secretion of a cow, goat, or sheep such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.
   b.  “Real eggs” means eggs laid by a bird such as a chicken, and includes fresh eggs, dried egg mix, and pasteurized liquid whole eggs.
   c.  “Real meat” means the muscle tissue from an animal such as a cow, pig, or fish.
   4.  The department of health and human services shall implement the waiver upon receipt of approval of the waiver.
    Sec. 3.  CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE.  The following takes effect on the date the department of health and human services receives federal approval of the waiver request relating to supplemental nutrition assistance program eligible foods as specified under this Act, if the waiver is approved:
   The section of this Act making a supplemental appropriation to the department of health and human services to provide grants to support the double up food bucks program.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to eligible foods for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) and double up food bucks program.
   The bill makes a $1 million supplemental appropriation from the general fund of the state to the department of health and human services (HHS) for fiscal year 2025-2026, in addition to any other funding appropriated for such purpose for the same fiscal year, to provide grants to support the double up food bucks program administered by the Iowa healthiest state initiative to make fresh fruits and vegetables sold at farmers markets, grocery stores, and other participating locations accessible to individuals and families who reside in this state and receive assistance through SNAP. The bill requires a double up food bucks program grant recipient to provide at least a dollar-for-dollar match of the grant assistance.
   The bill requires HHS to request a waiver from the United States department of agriculture, food and nutrition service to provide that the eligible foods under state administration of SNAP only include real eggs; real meat; real dairy; bread; grains; all fruits and vegetables; all cereals and hot cereals; including granola; peanut butter; nuts; pasta; rice; legumes; and any item on the most current Iowa special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children approved food list published by HHS. The bill provides that all eligible foods may be fresh, frozen, canned, preserved, made into spreads, or juiced. Upon receipt of approval of the waiver, HHS shall implement the waiver.
   The supplemental appropriation for the double up food bucks program takes effect on the date HHS receives federal approval of the SNAP waiver, if the waiver is approved.