Bill Text: HI SB940 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-01-27 - Referred to HHS, WAM. [SB940 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-SB940-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
940 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature also finds that in November 2022, over one hundred fifty thousand people in Hawaii participated in SNAP. Hawaii secures over $950,000,000 annually in SNAP funding, yet the need for food in Hawaii remains unmet. Households with incomes above two hundred per cent of the poverty level, as established by the United States Department of Agriculture, are ineligible for SNAP benefits, yet these household are still unable to achieve self-sufficiency. A household of four earning $64,000 per year is ineligible for SNAP benefits yet earns $20,000 less than the amount necessary to achieve self-sufficiency and afford basic needs.
The legislature further finds that the two hundred per cent poverty level cutoff creates an extreme benefits cliff in which an additional $1 per month earned by a household can result in over $2,900 in SNAP benefits lost per year for a single adult. For a household of four, an additional $1 per month earned can result in $10,000 in SNAP benefits lost per year. In addition, SNAP's benefits cliff disincentivizes individuals from reaching their greatest potential, since individuals must determine whether the financial benefits of pursuing economic opportunities exceed the potential loss in food assistance. These Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) individuals and households are in dire need of the very assistance from which they are disqualified. Hawaii not only has the opportunity but the responsibility to help these households.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds and provide an additional minimum benefit of $250 per month per person for households eligible for SNAP who have incomes below the two hundred per cent federal poverty level, as established by the United States Department of Agriculture, and provide additional assistance to households whose incomes are too high to qualify for SNAP benefits by expanding SNAP eligibility beyond the two hundred per cent federal poverty line and creating a gradual decline in benefits as household income increases.
SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§346- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;
supplemental monthly benefits. (a) The minimum monthly benefit
for a household eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits
and whose household income is below two hundred per cent of the federal poverty
level, as established by the United States Department of Agriculture, shall be
$250 per person; provided that the additional benefits shall be supplemented
using state general funds.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to administer additional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Minimum Monthly Benefits; Eligibility; Department of Human Services; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
an additional minimum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit
of $250 per month per person for SNAP-eligible households whose income is below
two hundred per cent of the federal poverty level, as established by the United
States Department of Agriculture. Requires
that SNAP-eligible households whose monthly income exceeds two hundred per cent
of the federal poverty level receive a graduated decline of additional SNAP benefits. Requires state general funds to be used to
supplement the cost of the additional benefits.
Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
