Bill > HB44

This bill requires the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used to purchase hot rotisserie chickens. Currently, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy hot prepared foods. The bill defines key terms, including SNAP benefits as financial assistance under the federal nutrition program, and mandates that if the initial waiver request is denied, the DHR commissioner must continue to resubmit the waiver request annually until it is approved. If the waiver is eventually granted, the department will be authorized to allow SNAP recipients to buy hot rotisserie chickens using their benefits. The legislation is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, providing a clear timeline for implementation and giving the DHR ample time to pursue the waiver with the USDA.

Budget and Finance

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