Bill > SB354

This bill seeks to prohibit the purchase of soft drinks and candy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Montana by requesting a federal waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture. The bill, named the "Montana Healthy SNAP Act," aims to align SNAP benefits with their original purpose of improving nutrition and food security by preventing recipients from using taxpayer-funded benefits to buy non-nutritive items. The legislation is based on findings that soft drinks are the most purchased item with SNAP benefits nationwide and that these purchases contribute to obesity and chronic health conditions. The bill requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to submit a waiver request that includes a detailed implementation plan, education strategy for recipients, and a reporting mechanism to track the impact. The waiver request must define "soft drinks" as non-alcoholic beverages with sweeteners (excluding milk-based or high-percentage fruit/vegetable juice drinks) and "candy" as sugar-based confections. If the waiver is approved, the restrictions would be implemented within six months, and if denied, the department must resubmit the request annually. The bill also mandates an annual report to the governor and legislative committee detailing the waiver status, SNAP spending patterns, and potential policy recommendations.