SB 624

This bill requires the Department of Health Services to prepare and submit a

comprehensive implementation plan to the food and nutrition service of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture for approval to issue electronic benefit transfer

identification cards containing a photo to recipients of assistance under the federal

food stamp program. The program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program, or SNAP, and called FoodShare in this state, provides

assistance to eligible low-income individuals for purchasing food. SNAP benefits are

paid entirely with federal moneys. The cost of administration is split between the

federal and state governments; the program is administered in this state by DHS.

In addition to requiring DHS to submit an implementation plan to USDA for

approval to issue photo EBT cards, the bill requires DHS to submit a waiver request

to USDA to allow DHS to require FoodShare recipients to show an EBT card

containing a photo when making purchases using FoodShare benefits. Finally, this

bill requires that if FNS and USDA approve the comprehensive implementation plan

and the waiver, respectively, DHS must submit the plan, the waiver, and a request

for any necessary appropriations to implement the plan to the Joint Committee on

Finance for approval. Once the implementation plan and the waiver have federal

approval and approval from JCF, then DHS must implement the proposals in the

approved implementation plan and issue EBT cards containing photo identification

of the FoodShare recipients to whom they are issued.