Idaho House passes bill asking USDA to exclude soda and candy from SNAP purchases

The Idaho House on March 3 passed House Bill 109, a measure directing the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to submit a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude soda and candy from purchases with SNAP benefits.

Representative, District 3, the bill sponsor, told the House the proposal would cost the state nothing because it simply asks state staff to send an email to USDA requesting the waiver. He said soda is the single largest commodity bought with SNAP and cited national leaders calling for limits on unhealthy purchases. "The SNAP program stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with nutrition being the operative word," the sponsor said.

The bill’s sponsor argued the proposal follows a definition used in a recent state tax-credit bill and said point-of-sale technology makes retailer compliance feasible. He also noted that tobacco and alcohol already are excluded from SNAP purchases.

Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s definition of "candy," saying the wording is overly broad and could unintentionally exclude items such as fortified granola or protein bars. Representative, District 18 argued the definition could create a compliance burden for checkout workers and retailers, possibly prompting some stores to stop accepting SNAP benefits. "If we put this incredibly vague and unadministerable definition in front of them, we will simply see grocery stores not accepting this and low-income families unable to get food at all," she said.

The House recorded a roll-call tally of 38 ayes and 32 noes; the bill passed the House and will be transmitted to the Senate.

Supporters cited similar definitions used in other state statutes and said 24 states have used related language for sales-tax definitions; opponents pointed to letters of opposition on file from the Idaho Soft Drink Association, the Idaho Food Bank, the Northwest Grocery Association and the Idaho Retailers Association.

The measure directs a waiver request to USDA; it does not itself change federal SNAP rules and would not alter benefits until and unless USDA grants the waiver. The sponsor said the proposal is meant as a state-level step in a national movement to reduce federal reimbursement for certain sugary items.

House Bill 109 now proceeds to the Idaho Senate; no further state- or effective-date language was specified on the House floor.