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Lawmakers introduce bill seeking to bar soda and candy purchases with SNAP; sponsor to request federal waiver
Summary
Representative Jordan Redmond introduced RS32087 to restrict SNAP purchases of soda and candy. The bill would direct the state to seek a federal waiver; sponsors and committee members discussed definitional issues, waiver difficulty and potential impacts on people with special dietary needs.
Representative Jordan Redmond, R.-District 3, asked the committee to introduce RS32087, a proposal to limit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages and candy. Redmond said soda is the top commodity bought through SNAP and framed the change as a public-health measure.
"Taxpayers are currently funding a growing health crisis, with soda ranking number 1 as the commodity bought through SNAP," Redmond said. He asked the department to submit a federal waiver request if the bill is adopted.
Committee members questioned feasibility and scope. Representative Fuhrman moved to introduce the bill and asked Redmond about the chances of obtaining a federal waiver; Redmond said chances may be higher under the current federal administration but cautioned that waivers can be difficult to obtain. Representative Wheeler and others raised definitional concerns: Wheeler observed the bill's soda definition might exclude diet sodas or certain sparkling waters and asked how those items would be treated. Redmond acknowledged those definitional issues and said stakeholders had raised the same concerns.
Representative Ekberg asked whether the sponsor had consulted dietitians or health organizations; Redmond said he had met with two dietitians, who supported the concept though had not yet reviewed the bill language. Representative Thompson questioned where the legislature would draw the line on regulating purchases and warned of precedent; Redmond replied the bills’ intent is oversight of taxpayer-funded benefits for healthier outcomes.
Redmond told the committee the Department of Health and Welfare has staff to prepare a waiver and that, according to his conversations with the department, there would be no added cost to the state general fund to prepare the waiver request. Representative Fuhrman moved to introduce RS32087; the committee approved the introduction by voice vote. The measure will be scheduled for a full hearing where lawmakers said they expect to refine definitions, examine waiver feasibility and hear from health and nutrition stakeholders.
