Bill

Bill > AB180


WI AB180

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
04/15/2025
In Committee
05/29/2025
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.

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 purchase of candy and soft drinks using FoodShare benefits, which is the state's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, the bill defines candy and soft drinks according to existing state tax law and mandates that DHS request a waiver to remove these items from the list of eligible foods under the food stamp program. If the waiver is granted, DHS must implement a ban on purchasing candy and soft drinks with FoodShare benefits. If the initial waiver request is denied, the department is required to resubmit the waiver request annually until it is ultimately approved. The bill aims to restrict the use of federal nutrition assistance to more nutritionally beneficial food items, potentially promoting healthier food choices among low-income households receiving food assistance.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (21)

Last Action

Referred to committee on Rules (on 05/29/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...