Food Policy
Subtopics
- Access to Affordable Healthy Foods / Reducing Hunger
- SNAP Program
- Community Nutrition
- Food Taxes
- For School Nutrition & Food Marketing, see School Health page
Access to Affordable Healthy Foods / Reducing Hunger | ||||
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| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2015) |
| HB 164 | Rep. Eddie Lucio, III |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Establishes the Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund which would provide funds to encourage companies to open grocery stores, mobile markets and farm stands in low- and moderate-income areas to increase access to healthier foods. The fund would be comprised of money appropriated by the legislature, as well as federal, state, or private grants or loans, federal tax credits, or other type of financial assistance. Similar bills: HB 3324 and SB 2156 | Similar to HB 1485; Failed to pass on House vote. |
| HB 3324 | Rep. Eddie Rodriguez | FAILED TO PASS - passed committee, but did not receive House vote | Establishes the Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund which would provide funds to encourage companies to open grocery stores, mobile markets and farm stands in low- and moderate-income areas to increase access to healthier foods. The fund would be comprised of money appropriated by the legislature, as well as federal, state, or private grants or loans, federal tax credits, or other type of financial assistance. Similar bills: HB 164 and SB 2156 | Similar to HB 1485; Failed to pass on House vote. |
| SB 2156 | Sen. Judith Zaffirini |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Establishes the Texas Grocery Access Investment Fund which would provide funds to encourage companies to open grocery stores, mobile markets and farm stands in low- and moderate-income areas to increase access to healthier foods. The fund would be comprised of money appropriated by the legislature, as well as federal, state, or private grants or loans, federal tax credits, or other type of financial assistance. Similar bills: HB 164 and HB 3324 | Similar to HB 1485; Failed to pass on House vote. |
| HB 367 | Rep. Diego Bernal |
FAILED TO PASS - similar bill SB 725 did pass |
Allows school districts to donate surplus food from meals served in the cafeteria to nonprofit organizations. Similar bills: SB 725 and SB 755. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| SB 725 | Sen. Borris Miles | PASSED - signed by the Governor; Effective 6/9/2017 | Allows school districts to donate surplus food from meals served in the cafeteria to nonprofit organizations. Similar bills: HB 367 and SB 755. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| SB 755 | Sen. José Menéndez |
FAILED TO PASS - similar bill SB 725 did pass |
Allows school districts to donate surplus food from meals served in the cafeteria to nonprofit organizations. Similar bills: HB 367 and SB 725. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 646 | Rep. Eddie Lucio, III |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Applies minimum nutrition standards for certain foods and beverages sold in vending machines located on state property. Ensures at least a small selection of (more) healthful food and beverage choices. | Similar to HB 2831; Left pending in committee (Public Health). |
| HB 1047 | Rep. Shawn Thierry |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Creates a a community development grocery store and healthy corner store revolving loan fund program. The fund would not be allocated money from the legislature, but would be composed of gifts and grants plus income earned from the loans. Companion Bill: SB 723. | Identical to HB 269; Failed, No action taken in committee (Agriculture & Livestock). |
| SB 723 | Sen. Borris Miles |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Creates a a community development grocery store and healthy corner store revolving loan fund program. The fund would not be allocated money from the legislature, but would be composed of gifts and grants plus income earned from the loans. Companion Bill: HB 1047. | Identical to HB 269; Failed, No action taken in committee (Agriculture & Livestock). |
| HB 3299 | Rep. Shawn Thierry |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Creates a tax credit for companies that open grocery stores or health corner stores in a food dessert. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 4022 | Rep. Eddie Rodriguez |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would require the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on the access to healthy foods and provide recommendations of best practices and policies to increase access to healthy foods. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
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Resources for Access to Affordable Foods
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SNAP Program | ||||
| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2015) |
| HB 146 | Rep. Sarah Davis |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would require authorized users to provide a valid photo ID when using their SNAP benefits card. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 148 | Rep. Matt Schaeffer |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would require photographs of authorized users on SNAP benefits cards. Companion bill: SB 1443. | Similar to HB 620; Failed, Died on House floor |
| SB 1443 | Sen. Brandon Creighton | FAILED TO PASS - passed the Senate (20-11), but did not receive a House committee hearing | Would require photographs of authorized user on SNAP benefits cards. Companion bill: HB 148. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 842 | Rep. Dustin Burrows |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Prohibits the use of SNAP benefits to purchase certain low-nutrition foods and beverages, like candy and energy drinks. | Goes further than HB 493; Failed, Left pending in committee (Human Services) |
| HB 1126 | Rep. Drew Springer |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would prohibit the state from providing certain work exemptions or waivers for those receiving SNAP benefits. The waivers and exemptions are currently given with consideration to multiple factors including local unemployment rate and availability of local jobs. | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
| HB 1533 | Rep. Jessica Farrar | FAILED TO PASS - passed committee, but did not receive House vote | Would exclude certain liquid assets and value of cars in determining SNAP eligibility. | Similar to HB 2666; Failed, Left pending in committee (Human Services). |
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Resources for SNAP Program
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Community Nutrition | ||||
| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2015) |
| HB 231 | Rep. Eddie Rodriguez |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Reduces property taxes on small tracts of land used for sustainable farming purposes. Similar to SB 700 | Similar to HB 1306 (2013); Out of committee (Agriculture & Livestock), failed to get on House calendar. |
| SB 700 | Sen. Judith Zaffirini |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Reduces property taxes on small tracts of land used for sustainable farming purposes. Similar to HB 231 | Topic not tracked by the Michael & Susan Dell Center during the previous session |
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Resources for Community Nutrition
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Food Taxes | ||||
| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2015) |
| SB 596 | Sen. Eddie Lucio |
FAILED TO PASS - did not receive committee hearing |
Would impose a penny per ounce tax on sugary drinks, with monies collected added to the general revenue fund. The tax would increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index. | Identical to SB 1371; Failed to get out of committee (Finance). |
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Resources for Food Taxes
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