Committee on Government Efficiency hears testimony on SB 79 seeking SNAP waiver to bar soda and candy purchases

The Committee on Government Efficiency heard testimony on Senate Bill 79, which would ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a waiver to prohibit purchases of soda and candy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Proponents said the measure would improve public health and make better use of taxpayer dollars; opponents said the bill would create an administrative burden for small retailers, risk reducing vendor participation in SNAP and do little to change overall diets.

Roy Leonardson, visiting fellow at Opportunity Solutions Project, told the committee the bill follows Kansas statute definitions and would not cut benefit amounts. "This is simply saying with taxpayer dollars, food stamp dollars, we want a waiver that prohibits you from buying soda and candy and redirects that towards health," Leonardson said. He cited studies linking sugary beverages to diabetes and obesity and said soda is the top SNAP purchase nationally while candy ranks third.

Leonardson gave price comparisons to…