Bill > HR1398

This bill proposes three key changes to government benefits programs, specifically the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food assistance to low-income households. First, the bill requires state agencies to suspend Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card accounts for households that make transactions exclusively out-of-state for more than 60 days, unless the household can prove they still reside in the state where they receive benefits or an investigation confirms their residency. Second, the bill prohibits SNAP benefit recipients who own retail food stores or wholesale food concerns from using their SNAP benefits at their own businesses, with an exception for stores owned by publicly traded corporations or government entities. This provision aims to prevent potential fraud or misuse of the program by business owners. The bill would take effect one year after its enactment, giving state agencies and SNAP participants time to adjust to the new requirements. The proposed changes are intended to increase program integrity and ensure that SNAP benefits are used appropriately by eligible participants.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1398/all-info