Senate committee votes to send bill asking federal waiver to bar candy and soda from SNAP to the floor

Boise — The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted on a voice vote to send House Bill 109 to the full Senate with a “do pass” recommendation after more than an hour of testimony and debate over whether the state should ask the federal government for a waiver to exclude candy and sugar‑sweetened beverages from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Senator Ben Toews, state senator for District 4 and sponsor of House Bill 109, told the committee the bill would require the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to request a federal demonstration waiver that would allow the state to prohibit purchases of candy and soda with SNAP benefits. “The actual purpose of the SNAP program…is to provide a nutritious diet to low income households,” Toews said, adding that studies show a substantial share of SNAP dollars are spent on sugary drinks and prepared desserts.

Supporters framed the measure as a modest step to improve nutrition and reduce long‑term health care costs. Brian Sickman of the Make America Healthy Project said state demonstration waivers are “the fastest way to implement change in the SNAP program” and that federal officials have encouraged states to innovate. Citizen testifiers who supported the bill emphasized public‑health data and taxpayer costs, with one testifier noting an empty soda bottle to illustrate sugar content.

Opponents warned the bill, as written, would create unworkable burdens for retailers…