Committee approves bill asking DFS to seek USDA waiver to restrict SNAP purchases; agency warns of costs and operational burden

The Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted to advance a bill directing the Department of Family Services (DFS) to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude candy, soft drinks and related "accessory foods" from purchases with SNAP benefits.

Director Corinne Schmidt of DFS told the committee the proposal would not change the federal SNAP benefit stream (the federal government provides the benefits directly). Instead, the bill would ask the USDA for permission that would allow Wyoming to block certain product types at retailers’ point‑of‑sale when an EBT card is used. "SNAP is a federal program," Schmidt said. "The money that goes on to SNAP benefit cards does not show up in our budget." She outlined an implementation timeline: roughly a year for design and retailer changes followed by a two‑year demonstration period with an evaluation component required by USDA.

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