Idaho House passes bill to exclude soda and candy from SNAP benefits

The Idaho Legislature made significant strides in its 57th legislative session on March 3, 2025, with the passage of House Bill 109, which aims to reform the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by excluding soda and candy from eligible purchases. This initiative aligns with a national movement dubbed the "Maha Movement" or "Make America Healthy Again," championed by newly appointed Health and Human Services Director Bobby Kennedy and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. They argue that taxpayer dollars should not subsidize unhealthy food options, particularly for children.

The bill, which passed with a vote of 38 to 32, requires the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement these changes. Proponents of the bill emphasize that the current SNAP program, which serves over 42 million people and has a budget of $113 billion, primarily funds sugary drinks, with soda being the top commodity purchased. They believe that by excluding unhealthy items, the state can promote better nutrition among low-income families.

However, the bill faced opposition during the debate. Critics raised concerns about the vague definitions of "candy" and "soda," arguing that they could inadvertently ban nutritious items like granola and protein bars. They also highlighted the potential burden on retailers, who may choose to stop accepting SNAP benefits altogether if the program becomes too complicated to administer. The opposition pointed to the need for a coherent federal approach to SNAP reform, suggesting that the state should wait for the federal government to address these issues comprehensively.

In addition to House Bill 109, the legislature also passed House Bill 253, which modifies the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests process. This bill aims to differentiate between Idaho residents and non-residents regarding the costs and timelines for FOIA requests, ensuring that residents continue to receive certain services for free while non-residents will incur charges.

As the session progresses, these legislative actions reflect a broader commitment to improving public health and government transparency in Idaho. The outcomes of these bills will be closely monitored as they move to the Senate for further consideration, with implications for both community health and the efficiency of state governance.