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Panel advances SNAP waiver bill to keep benefit spending inside Oklahoma to curb fraud
Summary
A sponsor told the committee the bill would ask DHS to seek a federal waiver limiting SNAP card purchases to in‑state vendors to reduce out‑of‑state fraud; presenters said they are exploring a radius option for border communities. The PCS was reported out by committee.
Representative Geiss (Speaker 3) presented House Bill 29‑84 directing the Department of Human Services to request a waiver so SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards could be used only within Oklahoma. Geiss said the change aims to reduce out‑of‑state fraud and protect families whose benefits are stolen through card skimming; he said DHS would be asked to seek a waiver to implement the restriction.
Representative Blansett (Speaker 5) asked about impacts on border communities where the nearest grocery store may be in a neighboring state. Geiss acknowledged the issue and said he has discussed a possible radius approach with DHS but also noted other states have used hard boundaries. He argued the benefit to Oklahoma businesses and fraud reduction outweigh the potential inconvenience for some residents and encouraged representatives to consider constituent impacts when voting.
Representative Woolley (Speaker 8) asked whether individual waivers would be possible for border residents; Geiss said individual waivers were unlikely but the radius option is under study. After discussion the committee moved the PCS and reported the measure passed out with a recorded tally of 6 ayes, 0 nays.
