SB379 - Relating to prohibiting the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

      S.B. No. 379         AN ACT   relating to prohibiting the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy   under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 33.031 to read as follows:           Sec.   33.031.     PURCHASE OF SWEETENED DRINKS AND CANDY   PROHIBITED UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a)   In this section, "sweetened drink" means a nonalcoholic beverage   made with water that contains five grams or more of added sugar or   any amount of artificial sweeteners. The term does not include a   beverage that contains:                 (1)  milk or milk products;                 (2)  soy, rice, or similar milk substitutes; or                 (3)     more than 50 percent of vegetable or fruit juice by   volume.           (b)     A recipient of supplemental nutrition assistance   program benefits may not use those benefits to purchase:                 (1)  a sweetened drink; or                 (2)     candy ordinarily packaged and sold for consumption   without further preparation.          SECTION 2.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 379 passed the Senate on   March 31, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 22, Nays 8;   May 25, 2025, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and   requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 29, 2025, House   granted request of the Senate; May 31, 2025, Senate adopted   Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 22,   Nays 9.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 379 passed the House, with   amendments, on May 23, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 90,   Nays 37, two present not voting; May 29, 2025, House granted   request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;   May 31, 2025, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the   following vote:  Yeas 84, Nays 45, two present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________               Date       ______________________________              Governor