Food Access and Insecurity
Bills that are relevant to food policy, hunger, food access, and food insecurity research taking place at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living can be viewed here.
Food Access and Insecurity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill # | Author | Status | Brief Description | Past Bills (2019) |
| HB 209 | State Rep. Shawn Nicole Thierry | Filed - 11/09/20 | A taxable entity qualifies for credit under certain certain conditions. This taxable entity must open a grocery store or healthy corner store in a low income area or a food desert, it needs to accept WIC, and it needs to be open year round. Companion Bill: SB 358 | |
| HB 319 | State Rep. Drew Springer | Filed - 11/09/20 | The commission, in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission, will ensure that a person who is at least 18 but younger than 50 who has SNAP benefits, who has no dependents, and who does not have a disability receives supplemental nutrition assistance program employment and training services unless the person is eligible for an individual waiver under the program. | |
| HB 343 | State Rep. Briscoe Cain | Filed - 11/09/20 | A recipient of SNAP benefits cannot use these benefits to purchase an energy drink, a sweetened beverage, a carbonated beverage, candy, potato or corn chips, or cookies. | |
| HB 701 | State Rep. Armando Lucio Walle | Filed - 11/12/20 | The commission shall develop and implement simplified certification and recertification requirements for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for certain individuals. Companion Bill: SB 224 | |
| HB 926 | State Rep. Vikki Goodwin | Filed - 12/31/20 | In determining whether an applicant is eligible for SNAP assistance, the commission shall exclude certain resources. | |
| HB 927 | State Rep. Vikki Goodwin | Filed - 12/31/20 | In determining whether an applicant is eligible for financial assistance, the commission shall exclude certain resources. | |
| HB 945 | State Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr. | Filed - 1/04/21 | The commission by rule shall ensure that an individual whose eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits has been initially established or re-certified remains eligible to receive those benefits for a period of 12 months. | |
| HB 1019 | State Rep. Thresa Meza | Filed - 1/07/21 | The commission shall develop and implement simplified certification and recertification requirements for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for certain individuals. Companion Bill: SB 224 | |
| SB 224 | State Sen. Charles Perry | Received by the Secretary of the Senate - 11/12/20 | The commission shall develop and implement simplified certification and recertification requirements for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for certain individuals. Companion Bill: HB 701 and HB 1019 | |
| SB 358 | State Sen. Borris L. Miles | Received by the Secretary of the Senate - 1/15/21 | A taxable entity qualifies for credit under certain certain conditions. This taxable entity must open a grocery store or healthy corner store in a low income area or a food desert, it needs to accept WIC, and it needs to be open year round. Companion Bill: HB 209 | |
Food Access and Insecurity Resources:
2. SNAP Utilization and Eligibility in Texas and Texas Legislative Districts
3. Impact of COVID-19 on Food Insecurity
4. FRESH Austin
5. Healthy Food Access Initiative Evaluation Annual Report
6. What Really Happens When a Grocery Store Opens in a ‘Food Desert’?
9. Get the Facts: Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Consumption
10. CDC Nutrition Resource Page
11. Healthier Food Retail: An Action Guide for Public Health Practitioners
12. Healthier Food Retail: Beginning the Assessment Process in Your State or Community
13. Healthy Food Environments: Improving Access to Healthier Food
14. Food Security
15. Feeding America
