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Minutes for SB79 - Committee on Government Efficiency
Short Title
Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 4, 2025
Chair Erickson opened the hearing on SB 79
Staff provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Proponents:
Roy Lenardson, Visiting Fellow, Opportunity Solutions Project, spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment 2) The bill aligns SNAP with the same principles already applied to other government assistance programs, like WIC, which restricts purchases to nutritious foods only. SNAP should be held to the same standard. This is not about restricting freedom -- it is about responsibility, we don't allow food stamps to be used for alcohol or tobacco, we should not be subsidizing sugar-laden products that are driving chronic diseases.
Nick Reinecker, self, spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment 3) The bill represents a worthwhile first step in the mitigation and prevention of disease along with reigning in the waste of taxpayer money when it comes to public nutrition assistance.
Opponents:
Brian Posler, Executive Director, Fuel True Independent Energy and Convenience, spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 4) The bill is well intended but a very faulty idea that will increase the administration costs of the program to both the USDA and retailers and will increase the stigma faced by recipients when they use the benefits but will not have the benefit of inducing behavioral changes.
Karen Siebert, Advocacy & Public Advisor, Harvesters - The Community Food Network, stood in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 5) The bill would require DCF to request a waiver to restrict the purchase of "candy" and "soft drinks" with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Assistance Benefits. Ms. Seibert asked the committee to oppose the bill. stating there are better policy options for promoting healthy eating patterns, both for SNAP recipients and for all Kansans.
Written only opponents
Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber (Attachment 6)
Haley Kottler, Campaign Director, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Attachment 7)
Dustin Hare, Economic Security Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 8)
Dr. Carla Whiteside-Hicks, Director of Economic & Employment Services, Kansas Dept for Children & Families (Attachment 9)
Juliet Abde, MS, IOM, President, Greater Topeka Chamber (Attachment 10)
Derek Hein, Executive Director, Kansas Beverage Association (Attachment 11)
Chair Erickson closed the hearing on SB 79..
The next committee meeting will be February 5, 2025. The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 am.
