Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB6186: SNAP benefits/unhealthy food
Status: In committee, February 4, 2026
Directing the department of social and health services to apply for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture restricting the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits from being used to purchase unhealthy foods such as candy and sweetened beverages.
What the bill says
An act Relating to directing the department of social and health services to apply for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture restricting the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits from being used to purchase unhealthy foods such as candy and sweetened beverages; and adding a new section to chapter 74.04 RCW. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to directing the department of social and health services to apply for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture restricting the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits from being used to purchase unhealthy foods such as candy and sweetened beverages; and adding a new section to chapter 74.04 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 74.04 RCW to read as follows: (1) The department shall request a waiver from the United States department of agriculture to exclude unhealthy foods from the definition of eligible foods under 7 C.F.R. Sec. 271.2. If such a wavier is granted, then the director shall prohibit the purchase of candy and sweetened beverages with benefits provided through the supplemental nutrition assistance program. If no such waiver is granted, then the department shall request such a waiver annually until such waiver is granted. (2) For the purposes of this section: (a) "Candy" means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients or flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces. "Candy" shall not include any preparation containing flour and shall require no refrigeration. (b)(i) "Sweetened beverages" means any nonalcoholic beverage that contains natural or artificial sweeteners. (ii) "Sweetened beverages" does not include …
Sponsors
- Judith Warnick (R) · primary sponsor
- Leonard Christian (R)
- Mark Schoesler (R)
Latest actions
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 1:30 PM.
- : First reading, referred to Human Services.
Subjects: PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Common questions
- What is SB6186?
- SB6186 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): SNAP benefits/unhealthy food.
- What does SB6186 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to directing the department of social and health services to apply for a waiver from the United States department of agriculture restricting the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits from being used to purchase unhealthy foods such as candy and sweetened beverages; and adding a new section to chapter 74.04 RCW. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB6186?
- In committee as of February 4, 2026. Latest action: Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM. (February 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB6186?
- Judith Warnick (R), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB6186?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6186&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.