Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB902: Generally revise Montana SNAP program laws
Status: Failed, May 20, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act generally revising laws related to the supplemental nutrition assistance program; requiring submission of a waiver to limit the food items that can be purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; requiring submission of a waiver to limit the individuals permitted to use an ebt card to purchase food or meals for a household; providing for a transitional benefits program; establishing reporting requirements; updating terminology; providing a definition; providing rulemaking authority; providing an appropriation…
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF A WAIVER TO LIMIT THE FOOD ITEMS THAT CAN BE PURCHASED WITH SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS; REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF A WAIVER TO LIMIT THE INDIVIDUALS PERMITTED TO USE AN EBT CARD TO PURCHASE FOOD OR MEALS FOR A HOUSEHOLD; PROVIDING FOR A TRANSITIONAL BENEFITS PROGRAM; ESTABLISHING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; UPDATING TERMINOLOGY; PROVIDING A DEFINITION; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AMENDING SECTIONS 39-51-403, 39-51-2208, 39-71-118, 40-4-215, 45-6-312, 50-49103, 53-2-108, 53-2-201, 53-2-211, 53-2-606, 53-2-901, 53-2-902, 53-2-903, 53-2-904, 53-3-115, AND 53-4717, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Waiver for limitations on purchases made with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits. (1) (a) The department shall seek a waiver from the United States department of agriculture within 3 months of [the effective date of this act] to limit food and beverage items purchased with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to healthy food items that are high in nutrients, (ii) meat, poultry, and fish; and (iii) dairy products. (b) If the waiver request is approved, the department shall apply for continuation of the waiver in a timely manner. (c) If the waiver request is denied, the department shall submit …