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Bill > SB154
WI SB154
Requiring the Department of Health Services to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. (FE)
summary
Introduced
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
In Committee
03/21/2025
03/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Health Services to request any necessary waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit the purchase of candy or soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. Under current law, the federal food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and called FoodShare in this state, provides benefits to eligible low-income households for the purchase of food. FoodShare is administered by DHS. The federal government pays the benefits for FoodShare while the state and federal government share the cost of administration. Current federal law defines the foods eligible for purchase under FoodShare. The bill requires DHS to seek any necessary waiver to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits for the purchase of candy or soft drinks. If the waiver is granted, DHS must prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits to purchase candy or soft drinks. If any necessary waiver is not granted, the bill requires DHS to resubmit the waiver request annually until it is granted. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-2415/1 SWB:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 154
AI Summary
This bill requires the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prohibit the use of FoodShare benefits (Wisconsin's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) for purchasing candy and soft drinks. The bill defines candy and soft drinks using existing state statutory definitions and mandates that if such a waiver is granted, DHS must implement a prohibition on using food assistance benefits to buy these items. If the initial waiver request is denied, the department is required to resubmit the waiver request annually until it is ultimately approved. This proposal aims to restrict the use of government-provided food assistance to more nutritious food items, potentially addressing concerns about using public benefits to purchase what are considered less healthy food and beverage options. The bill specifically references federal regulations and provides a mechanism for DHS to pursue restrictions on food stamp benefit usage through the federal waiver process.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (21)
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R)*,
Chris Kapenga (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
Cory Tomczyk (R)*,
Scott Allen (R),
Elijah Behnke (R),
Calvin Callahan (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Joy Goeben (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Dean Kaufert (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Clint Moses (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Amanda Nedweski (R),
Adam Neylon (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Pat Snyder (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 05/01/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb154 |
| Fiscal Note - SB154: Fiscal Estimate From DHS | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb154/sb154_dhs.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB154.pdf |
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