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SECOND LOOK | The Sentencing
Reform Act
H.R.2642 ~ Federal Agriculture Reform and
Risk Management Act of 2013
For Immediate
Release: January 29,
2014 |
| |
Hoyer
Statement on House Passage of Farm Bill |
|
WASHINGTON, DC - House
Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the
following statement today after the House passed H.R.
2642, the farm bill conference
report:
This is not a perfect bill, and I am disappointed
that it cuts food assistance that is critical for
millions of Americans who are at risk of hunger.
However, the compromise on nutrition is far better
than the draconian bill House Republicans had
championed. Overall, this legislation is a positive
step forward that invests in rural development,
bio-based energy, conservation, and agricultural
research and that will provide certainty and stability
for families in need, for farming communities, and for
our commodity markets. I urge the President to sign
this bill without delay, and I look forward to working
with my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus to
continue the push for greater funding to combat hunger
in America and expand opportunities for those seeking
to enter the middle class.
Conference Report on H.R.
2642 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk
Management Act of 2013 (Rep. Lucas Agriculture)
(One Hour of Debate). The
measure extends major federal farm, rural development
and agricultural trade programs through FY 2018 while
making significant changes to many of them.
It repeals direct and countercyclical payments to
agriculture commodity producers and replaces them with
new risk-management programs that allow farmers to
either have increased target prices or improved
revenue protections to insulate themselves from
losses. The agreement repeals several major dairy
programs and replaces them with a new taxpayer program
to support dairy producers. Overall, the changes to
commodity programs in Title I save taxpayers $14
billion over ten years, a portion of which is used to
fund other investments under the agreement, such as an
expansion of crop insurance (including a new program
for cotton farmers) and investments in fruit and
vegetable programs, research and energy programs.
Title II of the bill streamlines major conservation
programs, and imposes acreage caps on some of the
major programs. These acreage caps and streamlining
efforts produce $4 billion in savings over ten years,
according to CBO.
The measure changes the interaction
between the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) and SNAP programs, requiring a minimum LIHEAP
benefit of $20/year to qualify for the Standard
Utility Allowance. This change, which would still
allow SNAP recipients who incur utility expenses to
deduct them, would result in savings of $8.6 billion
over ten years. The agreement also provides additional
funds for food banks under The Emergency Food
Assistance Program (TEFAP) and for pilot programs
aimed at improving and developing new approaches to
SNAP Employment and Training Programs, for a net
savings of $8 billion (about 1% of projected program
costs) in nutrition programs.
The Rule, which was adopted
yesterday, provides for a closed Rule and one hour of
debate.
Background for the
Conference Report on H.R. 2642:
Agriculture
Committee Summary (PDF)
Bill
Text for Conference Report on H.R. 2642:
PDF
Version
| | | |
|
H.R.2642 Latest Title: Federal Agriculture Reform and
Risk Management Act of 2013 Sponsor: Rep
Lucas, Frank D. [OK-3] (introduced 7/10/2013) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills:H.RES.295, H.RES.361, H.RES.378, H.RES.379, H.RES.380, H.RES.465, H.R.1589, H.R.1947,
H.R.2498, H.R.2776, H.R.3102, H.R.3495, S.10, S.954Latest
Major Action: 1/28/2014 Conference committee actions. Status: Conferees
agreed to file conference report. Latest Conference Report: 113-333
(in Congressional Record H1269-1425)
There are 5 versions of Bill Number H.R.2642 for the 113th Congress.
Usually, the last item is the most recent. 1 .
Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (Engrossed in
House [Passed House] - EH) [H.R.2642.EH][ PDF] 2
. Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (Introduced
in House - IH) [H.R.2642.IH][ PDF] 3
. Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (Placed on
Calendar Senate - PCS) [H.R.2642.PCS][ PDF] 4
. Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 (Engrossed Amendment
Senate - EAS) [H.R.2642.EAS][ PDF] 5
. Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (Engrossed
Amendment House - EAH) [H.R.2642.EAH][ PDF]
113th Congress | Second Session | 09 September - 13 December 2013
OPPOSE: HR 3102 The Nutrition Relief and Work
Opportunity Act of 2013 (full text below)
House Voting! See Comment Stream Below
Oppose Ban on Food
Assistance for Convicted Individuals and their Families
Keep the conversation going ~
tweet: #Piss4Food
Reauthorization of SNAP and
Other Nutrition Programs in
the Next Farm Bill:
Issues for the 113th Congress
Randy Alison Aussenberg |
Analyst in Nutrition Assistance Policy
10 December 2013
Congressional Research Service
| 7-5700 | www.crs.gov | R43332 | 54 Pages.
Excerpts related to SNAP eligibility and
disqualifications:
SNAP Eligibility: Other
Disqualifications
In addition to work-related disqualifications,
like the ABAWD time limit, Section 6 of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (codified at 7 U.S.C. 2015) provides causes for
temporary or permanent disqualification from the SNAP
program. The House and Senate conference proposals would add some additional disqualifications and amend some existing
disqualifications. In addition to the discussion
below, these disqualification provisions are summarized in Table
A-5.
College Students, Lottery
Winners
Under current law, for the most part,
college students (attending higher education courses halftime
or more) between ages 18 and 49 are ineligible for
SNAP. A student enrolled in an institution of higher
education more than half-time is only eligible for SNAP benefits if the
individual meets at least one of the following
criteria: (1) under 18 years old or age 50 or older; (2) disabled; (3)
employed at least 20 hours per week or participating
in a work-study program during the school year; (4) a
parent (in some circumstances); /36 (5) receiving TANF cash assistance
benefits; or (6) enrolled in school because of
participation in certain programs. /37
Also under current law, there is no provision
that specifically addresses lottery or gambling; however, the SNAP
program's means tests would appear to limit the increase in income
or wealth that would be associated with significant
winnings. In several high-profile instances recently,
SNAP participants won large sums in the lottery, and the state agency learned
of their windfall from media reports.
House and Senate Proposals: Identical Changes
for College Students' and Lottery Winners'
Disqualification
Both conference proposals would make identical
changes regarding post-secondary students and gambling winnings:
Regarding post-secondary students, the bills
would add the requirement that those students enrolled in post-secondary
institutions as a requirement of participation in "SNAP Employment and
Training," must be enrolled in certain employment-oriented training to qualify for SNAP; specifically,
this would include certain career and technical
education, remedial courses, basic adult education,
literacy, or English as a second language.
The bills would create more specific rules
that would make households that receive "substantial lottery or gambling
winnings" (as determined by USDA) ineligible for SNAP until the household
meets the SNAP resources (assets) and income eligibility limits. State SNAP
agencies would be required to establish agreements with the state gaming
agency in order to make determinations of winnings. /38
Drug Testing
Under current law, SNAP applicants and
participants can only be subjected to testing for controlled substances under certain state options. For example, a
state may require a SNAP applicant to pass a drug
test, if such a test is part of the states modification to the drug felony
disqualification (see next section). /39
House Proposal: State Option to
Offer Drug Testing Requirement /40
The House would propose to allow states to
enact legislation authorizing drug testing for SNAP applicants. Such state policies would be implemented at full cost
to the state.
Felony Convictions
Under current law, the only criminal
convictions that can impact eligibility for SNAP benefits are drug felony offenses (with some states opting out of or modifying
the drug felony disqualification).
House and Senate Proposals:
Disqualification of Specified Ex-Offenders /40
Both the House and Senate conference proposals
include provisions that would broaden the exoffender applicants that would be disqualified for SNAP. Both Section 4020
of the Senate and Section 4037 of House proposal would
bar from receiving benefits individuals convicted of specified federal crimes (including murder, rape, certain crimes
against children), and state offenses determined by
the Attorney General to be substantially similar. /41
The amendment would still allow the disqualified ex-offender's household members to
apply for and potentially receive benefits, but the
household's benefit amount would likely be smaller than if the ex-offender was
included. The amendments would require the state
agency that administers SNAP benefits to collect, in
writing, information on SNAP applicant's convictions.
The Senate and House proposals are identical in
their language, except that the House includes an additional provision to assure that the policy would affect only
those with convictions after the date of the
provision's enactment. /42
SNAP Benefit Calculation
Becoming eligible for SNAP is only one
part of the application process. Once deemed eligible, a household's benefits are calculated based on the household's size,
income, and SNAP-deductible expenses. A household's
net income is determined by subtracting from the household's gross
income certain specified expenses and figures. In
addition to a standard deduction (available to all households), there are deductions to account for the specific
circumstances of a household.
Examples of SNAP deductions are the excess
shelter deduction (a figure intended to account for variations in the cost of living) and for--households that include
the elderly and disabled--an excess medical expenses
deduction (a figure intended to account for variations in a household's
health costs). Once eligible, 30% of the household's
net income is subtracted from USDA's monthly maximum
benefit (for household size) to determine the monthly benefit.
The conference proposals, for the most part,
would maintain current federal law on SNAP benefit calculation; however, both bills would change the way the excess
shelter deduction is calculated (specifically, the
treatment of energy assistance payments). This is discussed in more detail in
the next section.
The House conference proposal also included a
specification for the excess medical expenses deduction.
This provision is not discussed below, but is
included in a summary table of the SNAPbenefit
calculation provisions, Table A-6.
36. An otherwise ineligible student is eligible for SNAP if
the student is (1) a single parent enrolled in school full-time caring for a
dependent under the age of 12 years old, (2) a parent caring for a dependent
under age 6, or (3) a parent caring for a child between the ages of 5 and 12
years old for whom child care is not available to enable the parent to both
attend class and work 20 or more hours per week.
37. A program under title I of the Workforce Investment Act,
a SNAP Employment and Training program, a program under section 236 of the
Trade Act of 1974, a work incentive program under title IV of the Social
Security Act, or "another program for the purpose of employment and training
operated by a state or local government, as determined to be appropriate by
the Secretary." 7 U.S.C. 2015(e).38.
The Senate Committee's report from last Congress'
bill S. 3240 (S.Rept. 112-203) cited a May 2011 lottery winners participation in SNAP, describing that, while the bill
intends to prohibit such cases in the future, the Committee "does not intend to increase the administrative burden
on states by instituting extensive oversight of private or charitable gaming activities, such as those that occur at
senior centers, churches, private homes or other noncommercial gaming. Further, it is not the intent of the Committee that the
Secretary be required to impose statutory requirements that may otherwise be waived under State option in
this Act. The Committee encourages the Secretary to evaluate the criteria for substantial winnings in a manner that
does not produce an outcome that increases poverty."
39. According
to USDA-FNSs most recent state options report (August 2012), only Maryland,
Minnesota, Wisconsin have a modified drug felon
disqualification policy that requires drug testing for such felons.
40. Drug-testing and crime-related restrictions in SNAP are discussed
in CRS Report R42394, Drug Testing and
Crime-Related Restrictions in TANF, SNAP, and
Housing Assistance, by Maggie McCarty et al.,
pp. 10-15.
41. For further
discussion of these ex-offender disqualification proposals, including crimes
specified, CRS has released a congressional
memorandum. Congressional clients may request a copy from Randy Alison
Aussenberg at raussenberg@crs.loc.gov or Richard M.
Thompson II at rthompson@crs.loc.gov.
42. In addition
to their cost estimate of the Senate-reported bill, CBO composed an official
cost estimate for the Senate floor amendment which
added the ex-offender provision to the bill before it passed the Senate. See
CBO website, http://cbo.gov/publication/44905.
They estimate that the provision would reduce spending by as little as $21
million or as much as $185 million over 10 years
(FY2014-2023), depending upon whether the provision is interpreted to apply
to convictions that occurred before the change to
SNAP eligibility law.
43. For further
details and analysis of this policy, please see CRS Report R42591,
The Next Farm Bill: Changing the Treatment of LIHEAP Receipt in the Calculation of SNAP
Benefits, by Randy Alison Aussenberg and Libby
Perl.
_______
19092013: Background Information
Oppose Ban on Food Assistance for
Convicted Individuals and their Families
Today, 19 September 2013, the House was to
vote on this bill that would reauthorize federal nutrition programs but make
significant cuts to the food stamp program. However, was On
Motion to Recommit with Instructions.
Track VOTES, click here.
The scoop from our Hill Sources: This
"mean spirited bill' is essentially the nutrition title of the farm bill that
failed to move forward earlier this year. However, it would cut $40 billion from
federal nutrition programs, a bigger cut than what was in the earlier bill.
About $20 billion would cut by narrowing eligibility for food stamps, and
another $20 billion would be cut by ending eligibility for people who aren't
working or looking for work.
Weigh in with your Representative : https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/113/hr3102
Dear Members, Supporters and Colleagues,
We encourage
you to send the attached letter to Senate and House Agriculture Committee
leadership. The letter urges them to reject the harmful Vitter amendment to the Farm
Bill, which would deny food assistance to people convicted of certain offenses
and their families.
In recent months, Senator Vitter has offered a series
of amendments that would deny public benefits to convicted individuals. In
May, the Senate accepted his amendment 1056 to the Farm Bill, S.954, denying
SNAP benefits for life to people convicted of certain offenses. Many of
organizations joined us in sending this letter to Senate leaders urging them to reject this harmful amendment. (A month
later, the House adopted a similar amendment, which has thus far
failed.)
The Vitter amendment is odious for a
number of reasons. It's counterproductive because it makes it harder for
formerly incarcerated individuals to safely reenter society. It's
mean-spirited, as it reduces food benefits for children and families in the
households of such individuals. Because it's retroactive, the Vitter
amendment would deny food assistance to elderly individuals who long ago
completed their prison sentences. Disparities in the criminal justice
system mean African Americans and Latinos would be disproportionately affected.
We've calculated that of the 1.6
million people in state or federal prison, about one in six were convicted of
the offenses targeted by this amendments. Over time, the ban would apply
to well over a million people.
As expected, on Thursday, 19 September 2013, the House considered H.R. 3102, the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of 2013, under a rule. H.R. 3102 was introduced on September 16, 2013 by Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK), Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, doubling down on the amount of dollars and people to be cut from SNAP. So, it is more important then ever that we encourage you to help us defeat this mean spirited bill. Write Congress with our widget (here). Our letter will attach and send to the Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership, along with youe message urging them to reject H.R. 3012's harmful Vitter
amendment. The SignON Letter is here: http://www.fedcure.org/documents/VitterSNAP.AmendmentCJ-Legal Sign-OnLetterConferees120913.pdf
Albeit, the letter has already been delivered, you can still weigh in with your Representative : https://www.popvox.com/bills/us/113/hr3102to register the name of your organization as
you'd like it to appear, in opposing HR 3012.
This is the text of the letter, please feel free to use as is, or edit for your purpose:
12 September 2013
DELIVERED TO:
The Honorable Frank
Lucas The Honorable Debbie Stabenow Chairman, Committee on Agriculture
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture 2311 Rayburn House Office Building 133
Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Washington, D.C.
20510
The Honorable Collin
Peterson The Honorable Thad Cochran Ranking Member, Committee on
Agriculture Ranking Member, Committee on Agriculture 2109 Rayburn House
Office Building 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Washington, D.C. 20510
RE: Oppose Ban on Food
Assistance for Convicted Individuals and their Families
Dear Chairmen Lucas and
Stabenow and Ranking Members Peterson and Cochran:
Our diverse civil and
human rights, labor, and criminal justice advocacy organizations are writing
in strong opposition to the Vitter Amendment to the Farm Bill, and we urge you
to reject this provision in conference. The Vitter Amendment harshly punishes
people who committed a single violent crime years or decades ago, complied
fully with the terms of their sentence, and have been law-abiding citizens
ever since. Individuals convicted of one of a number of crimes would be barred
from SNAP for life. Furthermore, SNAP benefits for other members of their
household, including children and seniors, would be cut
dramatically.
This provision would
jeopardize public safety and could lead to more crime by making it harder for
formerly incarcerated individuals to safely reenter society. To enhance
community safety, many states and federal agencies, including USDA and the
Department of Justice, work to assist those returning from prison and jail to
become productive citizens. Individuals who receive re-entry assistance,
including housing and employment, are less likely to return to the criminal
justice system and more likely to successfully re-integrate with their
families and communities. Food assistance, in the form of SNAP, is an
important component of reintegration programs. These efforts save taxpayer
dollars by reducing the costs of incarceration. A permanent ban of food
assistance for individuals convicted of a violent offense would undercut their
rehabilitation and impose greater chances of recidivism.
The provision also
penalizes the families of those with a criminal conviction in their past.
Under the amendment, even though someone is prohibited from participating in
SNAP, their income would be counted when calculating the amount of food
assistance benefits of other household members. This can decrease a
households SNAP benefits, increasing food insecurity for poor children and
other family members.
Moreover, the Vitter
Amendment would have a harsh impact on communities of color African
Americans and Latinos in particular who are disproportionately affected by
the criminal justice system. Research documents that race continues to play a
role at each stage of the criminal justice system in driving unwarranted
disparities.
Unlike the SNAP ban for
individuals with felony drug convictions, the Vitter Amendment does not give
states the option to drop the ban if they so choose. If the ban remains in the
Farm Bill, States should be given the opportunity to determine if they want to
implement it since they will be the entity that bears the additional costs
associated with increases in crime, including law enforcement and court costs,
costs to victims, and the costs of additional incarceration and supervision
when the desperation that will be caused by this ban leads more individuals to
recidivate.
Our organizations urge
you to reject this harmful and racially discriminatory amendment so that it
does not become law.
Sincerely,
ORGANIZATIONS
Appendage:
09 September 2013FedCURE's Chairman, Mark A. Varca, J.D.,
concurs with the Honorable Arthur L. Burnett, Sr., Vice President of
Administration and National Executive Director of the National African
American Drug Policy Coalition, Inc. To wit:
In my capacity as Vice President of Administration and National
Executive Director of the National African American Drug Policy Coalition,
Inc., I have the authority to act on this matter for the organization. We
strongly oppose the Vitter Amendment and sign on to the proposed letter to
the Conference Committee anticipated for the following cogent reasons:
1. Such an amendment undermines the goals and objectives of the Second
Chance Act as to re-entry programs and enabling individuals to readjust and
lead law abiding lives upon being release from jails and prisons.
2. It jeopardizes public safety and increases the risk of recidivism
out of desperation and hunger by the persons who will be deprived of these
benefits and thus add to the costs of law enforcement activities and further
incarceration.
3. It would have devastating consequences on children living in the
households of such individuals who will be deprived of need nourishment, and
visits the "sins" of the parents on the children, leaving them mal-nourished
and in poorer health conditions, at increased costs to our healthcare
system.
4. Such a law will increase the disparity impact of our laws on
minorities and the poor who have obtained these criminal records because of
how our law enforcement and criminal justice system have operated in the
past, and thus it is totally counterproductive and detrimental to the
welfare of our entire society.
To the extent your letter does not explicitly state these reasons, I
have no objection to you incorporating them or adding them in further
representations or communications to the anticipated Conference
Committee.
Arthur L. Burnett, Sr. Judge - Retired
National Executive Director National African
American Drug Policy Coalition, Inc. Howard University School of Law
Holy Cross Hall - Rooms 412-414 2900 Van Ness Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008 (202) 806-8622 or 806-8623 Mobile: (202)
577-8365 FAX: (202) 537-3806 E-mail addresses: Aburnettsr@aol.com Albsr2alb@aol.com
H.R.3102 ~ Nutrition Reform and Work
Opportunity Act of 2013
Latest Title: Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity
Act of 2013 Sponsor: Rep
Lucas, Frank D. [OK-3] (introduced 9/16/2013) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills:H.R.1720, H.R.1794, H.R.1929, H.R.2404, H.R.3055, S.811Latest
Major Action: 9/16/2013 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the
Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the
Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
HR 3102 IH
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3102
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008; and for other
purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 16, 2013
Mr. LUCAS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce
and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008; and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Nutrition Reform and Work
Opportunity Act of 2013'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is the
following:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Sec. 101. Preventing payment of cash to recipients of supplemental
nutrition assistance benefits for the return of empty bottles and cans used
to contain food purchased with benefits provided under the program.
Sec. 103. Enhancing services to elderly and disabled supplemental
nutrition assistance program participants.
Sec. 104. Food distribution program on Indian reservations.
Sec. 105. Updating program eligibility.
Sec. 106. Exclusion of medical marijuana from excess medical expense
deduction.
Sec. 107. Standard utility allowances based on the receipt of energy
assistance payments.
Sec. 108. Eligibility disqualifications.
Sec. 109. Repeal of State work program waiver authority.
Sec. 110. Ending supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for
lottery or gambling winners.
Sec. 111. Improving security of food assistance.
Sec. 112. Demonstration projects on acceptance of benefits of mobile
transactions.
Sec. 113. Use of benefits for purchase of community-supported
agriculture share.
Sec. 114. Restaurant meals program.
Sec. 115. Mandating State immigration verification.
Sec. 116. Data exchange standardization for improved
interoperability.
Sec. 117. Pilot projects to improve Federal-State cooperation in
identifying and reducing fraud in the supplemental nutrition assistance
program.
Sec. 118. Prohibiting Government-sponsored recruitment activities.
Sec. 119. Repeal of bonus program.
Sec. 120. Funding of employment and training programs.
Sec. 121. Monitoring employment and training programs.
Sec. 122. Cooperation with program research and evaluation.
Sec. 123. Pilot projects to reduce dependency and increase work effort
in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Sec. 124. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 125. Limitation on use of block grant to Puerto Rico.
Sec. 126. Assistance for community food projects.
Sec. 127. Emergency food assistance.
Sec. 128. Nutrition education.
Sec. 129. Retailer trafficking.
Sec. 130. Technical and conforming amendments.
Sec. 131. Tolerance level for excluding small errors.
Sec. 132. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands pilot
program.
Sec. 133. Annual State report on verification of SNAP
participation.
Sec. 134. Termination of existing agreement.
Sec. 135. Service of traditional foods in public facilities.
Sec. 136. Testing applicants for unlawful use of controlled
substances.
Sec. 137. Eligibility disqualifications for certain convicted
felons.
Sec. 138. Expungement of unused supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits.
Sec. 139. Pilot projects to promote work and increase State
accountability in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Sec. 140. Improved wage verification using the National Directory of New
Hires.
Sec. 141. Feasibility study for Indian tribes.
TITLE II--COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS
Sec. 201. Commodity distribution program.
Sec. 202. Commodity supplemental food program.
Sec. 203. Distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition
projects.
Sec. 204. Processing of commodities.
TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 301. Farmers' market nutrition program.
Sec. 302. Nutrition information and awareness pilot program.
Sec. 303. Fresh fruit and vegetable program.
Sec. 304. Additional authority for purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables,
and other specialty food crops.
Sec. 305. Encouraging locally and regionally grown and raised
food.
Sec. 306. Review of public health benefits of white potatoes.
Sec. 307. Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
Sec. 308. Review of sole-source contracts in Federal nutrition
programs.
Sec. 309. Purchase of Halal and Kosher food for emergency food
assistance program.
TITLE I--SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SEC. 101. PREVENTING PAYMENT OF CASH TO RECIPIENTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FOR THE RETURN OF EMPTY BOTTLES AND CANS USED TO CONTAIN
FOOD PURCHASED WITH BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAM.
Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2012(k)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking `and hot foods' and inserting `hot foods'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: `and any deposit fee in excess
of amount of the State fee reimbursement (if any) required to purchase any
food or food product contained in a returnable bottle or can, regardless of
whether such fee is included in the shelf price posted for such food or food
product,'.
SEC. 102. RETAILERS.
(a) Definition of Retail Food Store- Section 3(p)(1)(A) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(p)(1)(A)) is amended by striking `at
least 2' and inserting `at least 3'.
(b) Alternative Benefit Delivery- Section 7(f) of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(f)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
`(2) IMPOSITION OF COSTS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary
shall require participating retailers (including restaurants participating
in a State option restaurant program intended to serve the elderly,
disabled, and homeless) to pay 100 percent of the costs of acquiring, and
arrange for the implementation of, electronic benefit transfer
point-of-sale equipment and supplies.
`(B) EXEMPTIONS- The Secretary may exempt from subparagraph
(A)--
`(i) farmers' markets and other direct-to-consumer markets, military
commissaries, nonprofit food buying cooperatives, and establishments,
organizations, programs, or group living arrangements described in
paragraphs (5), (7), and (8) of section 3(k); and
`(ii) establishments described in paragraphs (3), (4), and (9) of
section 3(k), other than restaurants participating in a State option
restaurant program.'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(4) TERMINATION OF MANUAL VOUCHERS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- Effective beginning on the effective date of this
paragraph, except as provided in subparagraph (B), no State shall issue
manual vouchers to a household that receives supplemental nutrition
assistance under this Act or allow retailers to accept manual vouchers as
payment, unless the Secretary determines that the manual vouchers are
necessary, such as in the event of an electronic benefit transfer system
failure or a disaster situation.
`(B) EXEMPTIONS- The Secretary may exempt categories of retailers or
individual retailers from subparagraph (A) based on criteria established
by the Secretary.
`(5) UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER REQUIRED- In an effort to enhance the
antifraud protections of the program, the Secretary shall require all
parties providing electronic benefit transfer services to provide for and
maintain a unique business identification and a unique terminal
identification number information through the supplemental nutrition
assistance program electronic benefit transfer transaction routing system.
In developing the regulations implementing this paragraph, the Secretary
shall consider existing commercial practices for other point-of-sale debit
transactions. The Secretary shall issue proposed regulations implementing
this paragraph not earlier than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
paragraph.'.
(c) Electronic Benefit Transfers- Section 7(h)(3)(B) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(3)(B)) is amended by striking `is
operational--' and all that follows through `(ii) in the case of other
participating stores,' and inserting `is operational'.
(d) Approval of Retail Food Stores and Wholesale Food Concerns- Section 9
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2018) is amended--
(1) in the 2d sentence of subsection (a)(1) by striking `; and (C)' and
inserting `; (C) whether the applicant is located in an area with
significantly limited access to food; and (D)'; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
`(g) EBT Service Requirement- An approved retail food store shall provide
adequate EBT service as described in section 7(h)(3)(B).'.
SEC. 103. ENHANCING SERVICES TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.
(a) Enhancing Services to Elderly and Disabled Program Participants-
Section 3(p) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(p)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking `and' at the end,
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking the period at the end and inserting `;
and', and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
`(5) a governmental or private nonprofit food purchasing and delivery
service that--
`(A) purchases food for, and delivers such food to, individuals who
are--
`(i) unable to shop for food; and
`(ii)(I) not less than 60 years of age; or
`(II) physically or mentally handicapped or otherwise
disabled;
`(B) clearly notifies the participating household at the time such
household places a food order--
`(i) of any delivery fee associated with the food purchase and
delivery provided to such household by such service; and
`(ii) that a delivery fee cannot be paid with benefits provided
under supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
`(C) sells food purchased for such household at the price paid by such
service for such food and without any additional cost markup.'.
(1) ISSUANCE OF RULES- The Secretary of Agriculture shall issue
regulations that--
(A) establish criteria to identify a food purchasing and delivery
service referred to in section 3(p)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 as amended by this Act, and
(B) establish procedures to ensure that such service--
(i) does not charge more for a food item than the price paid by the
such service for such food item,
(ii) offers food delivery service at no or low cost to households
under such Act,
(iii) ensures that benefits provided under the supplemental
nutrition assistance program are used only to purchase food, as defined
in section 3 of such Act,
(iv) limits the purchase of food, and the delivery of such food, to
households eligible to receive services described in section 3(p)(5) of
such Act as so amended,
(v) has established adequate safeguards against fraudulent
activities, including unauthorized use of electronic benefit cards
issued under such Act, and
(vi) such other requirements as the Secretary deems to be
appropriate.
(2) LIMITATION- Before the issuance of rules under paragraph (1), the
Secretary of Agriculture may not approve more than 20 food purchasing and
delivery services referred to in section 3(p)(5) of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 as amended by this Act, to participate as retail food stores
under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
SEC. 104. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
Section 4(b)(6)(F) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2013(b)(6)(F)) is amended by striking `2012' and inserting `2016'.
SEC. 105. UPDATING PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY.
Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) is
amended--
(1) in the 2d sentence of subsection (a) by striking `households in
which each member receives benefits' and inserting `households in which each
member receives cash assistance', and
(2) in subsection (j) by striking `or who receives benefits under a
State program' and inserting `or who receives cash assistance under a State
program'.
SEC. 106. EXCLUSION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA FROM EXCESS MEDICAL EXPENSE
DEDUCTION.
Section 5(e)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2014(e)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(C) EXCLUSION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA- The Secretary shall promulgate
rules to ensure that medical marijuana is not treated as a medical expense
for purposes of this paragraph.'.
SEC. 107. STANDARD UTILITY ALLOWANCES BASED ON THE RECEIPT OF ENERGY
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS.
(a) Standard Utility Allowances in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program- Section 5(e)(6)(C) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2014(e)(6)(C)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i) by inserting `, subject to clause (iv)' after
`Secretary'; and
(2) by striking subclause (I) of clause (iv) and inserting the
following:
`(I) IN GENERAL- Subject to subclause (II), if a State agency
elects to use a standard utility allowance that reflects heating and
cooling costs, the standard utility allowance shall be made available
to households that received a payment, or on behalf of which a payment
was made, under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42
U.S.C. 8621 et seq.) or other similar energy assistance program, if in
the current month or in the immediately preceding 12 months, the
household either received such payment, or such payment was made on
behalf of the household, that was greater than $20 annually, as
determined by the Secretary.'; and
(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 2605(f)(2)(A) of the Low-Income Home
Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8624(f)(2)(A)) is amended by
inserting before the semicolon the following: `, except that, for purposes of
the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), such payments or allowances
were greater than $20 annually, consistent with section 5(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I) of
that Act (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I)), as determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture'.
(c) Effective Date and Implementation-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section and
the amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2013,
and shall apply with respect to certification periods that begin after such
date.
(2) STATE OPTION TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION FOR CURRENT RECIPIENTS- A State
may, at the option of the State, implement a policy that eliminates or
reduces the effect of the amendments made by this section on households that
received a standard utility allowance as of the date of enactment of this
Act, for not more than a 180-day period that begins on the date on which
such amendments would otherwise apply to the respective household.
SEC. 108. ELIGIBILITY DISQUALIFICATIONS.
Section 6(e)(3)(B) of Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2015(e)(3)(B)) is amended by striking `section;' and inserting the following:
`section, subject to the condition that the course or program of study--'
`(i) is part of a program of career and technical education (as
defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)) that may be completed in not
more than 4 years at an institution of higher education (as defined in
section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002));
or
`(ii) is limited to remedial courses, basic adult education,
literacy, or English as a second language;'.
SEC. 109. REPEAL OF STATE WORK PROGRAM WAIVER AUTHORITY.
Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(D) by striking `(5), or (6)' and inserting `or
(5)';
(2) by striking paragraph (4);
(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii)--
(i) by striking subclause (II);
(ii) in subclause (V) by striking `(5)' and inserting `(4)';
and
(iii) by redesignating subclauses (III), (IV), and (V) as subclauses
(II), (III), and (IV), respectively;
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking `(G)' and inserting
`(H)';
(C) in subparagraph (D) by striking `and each subsequent fiscal year'
and inserting `through fiscal year 2013';
(D) in subparagraph (F) by striking `and each subsequent fiscal year'
and inserting `through fiscal year 2013'; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
`(H) FISCAL YEAR 2014 AND THEREAFTER- Subject to subparagraph (G), for
fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, a State agency may
provide a number of exemptions such that the average monthly number of the
exemptions in effect during the fiscal year does not exceed 15 percent of
the number of individuals identified as `Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in
Childless Households' in the table `B.5 Distribution of Participating
Households by Household Composition and by State' of the report entitled
Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households:
Fiscal Year 2011 (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Report No.
SNAP-12-CHAR) prepared for and published by the Office of Research and
Analysis of the Food and Nutrition Service of the Department of
Agriculture in November 2012.'; and
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (4),
(5), and (6), respectively.
SEC. 110. ENDING SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS FOR
LOTTERY OR GAMBLING WINNERS.
(a) In General- Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2015) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(r) Ineligibility for Benefits Due to Receipt of Substantial Lottery or
Gambling Winnings-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Any household in which a member receives substantial
lottery or gambling winnings, as determined by the Secretary, shall lose
eligibility for benefits immediately upon receipt of the winnings.
`(2) DURATION OF INELIGIBILITY- A household described in paragraph (1)
shall remain ineligible for participation until the household meets the
allowable financial resources and income eligibility requirements under
subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (i), (k), (l), (m), and (n) of section
5.
`(3) AGREEMENTS- As determined by the Secretary, each State agency, to
the maximum extent practicable, shall establish agreements with entities
responsible for the regulation or sponsorship of gaming in the State to
determine whether individuals participating in the supplemental nutrition
assistance program have received substantial lottery or gambling
winnings.'.
(b) Conforming Amendments- Section 5(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(a)) is amended in the 2d sentence by striking `sections
6(b), 6(d)(2), and 6(g)' and inserting `subsections (b), (d)(2), (g), and (r)
of section 6'.
SEC. 111. IMPROVING SECURITY OF FOOD ASSISTANCE.
Section 7(h)(8) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2016(h)(8)) is amended--
(1) in the heading by striking `CARD FEE' and inserting `OF
CARDS';
(2) by striking `A State' and inserting the following:
(3) by adding after subparagraph (A) (as so designated by paragraph (2))
the following:
`(B) PURPOSEFUL LOSS OF CARDS-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to terms and conditions established by the
Secretary in accordance with clause (ii), if a household makes excessive
requests for replacement of the electronic benefit transfer card of the
household, the Secretary may require a State agency to decline to issue
a replacement card to the household unless the household, upon request
of the State agency, provides an explanation for the loss of the
card.
`(ii) REQUIREMENTS- The terms and conditions established by the
Secretary shall provide that--
`(I) the household be given the opportunity to provide the
requested explanation and meet the requirements under this paragraph
promptly;
`(II) after an excessive number of lost cards, the head of the
household shall be required to review program rights and
responsibilities with State agency personnel authorized to make
determinations under section 5(a); and
`(III) any action taken, including actions required under section
6(b)(2), other than the withholding of the electronic benefit transfer
card until an explanation described in subclause (I) is provided,
shall be consistent with the due process protections under section
6(b) or 11(e)(10), as appropriate.
`(C) PROTECTING VULNERABLE PERSONS- In implementing this paragraph, a
State agency shall act to protect homeless persons, persons with
disabilities, victims of crimes, and other vulnerable persons who lose
electronic benefit transfer cards but are not intentionally committing
fraud.
`(D) EFFECT ON ELIGIBILITY- While a State may decline to issue an
electronic benefits transfer card until a household satisfies the
requirements under this paragraph, nothing in this paragraph shall be
considered a denial of, or limitation on, the eligibility for benefits
under section 5.'.
SEC. 112. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON ACCEPTANCE OF BENEFITS OF MOBILE
TRANSACTIONS.
Section 7(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(14) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON ACCEPTANCE OF BENEFITS OF MOBILE
TRANSACTIONS-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall pilot the use of mobile
technologies determined by the Secretary to be appropriate to test the
feasibility and implications for program integrity, by allowing retail
food stores, farmers markets, and other direct producer-to-consumer
marketing outlets to accept benefits from recipients of supplemental
nutrition assistance through mobile transactions.
`(B) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS- To be eligible to participate in a
demonstration project under subsection (a), a retail food store, farmers
market, or other direct producer-to-consumer marketing outlet shall submit
to the Secretary for approval a plan that includes--
`(i) a description of the technology;
`(ii) the manner by which the retail food store, farmers market or
other direct producer-to-consumer marketing outlet will provide proof of
the transaction to households;
`(iii) the provision of data to the Secretary, consistent with
requirements established by the Secretary, in a manner that allows the
Secretary to evaluate the impact of the demonstration on participant
access, ease of use, and program integrity; and
`(iv) such other criteria as the Secretary may require.
`(C) DATE OF COMPLETION- The demonstration projects under this
paragraph shall be completed and final reports submitted to the Secretary
by not later than July 1, 2016.
`(D) REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Secretary shall submit a report to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate that includes a
finding, based on the data provided under subparagraph (C) whether or not
implementation in all States is in the best interest of the supplemental
nutrition assistance program.'.
SEC. 113. USE OF BENEFITS FOR PURCHASE OF COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
SHARE.
Section 10 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2019) is
amended in the 1st sentence by inserting `agricultural producers who market
agricultural products directly to consumers shall be authorized to redeem
benefits for the initial cost of the purchase of a community-supported
agriculture share,' after `food so purchased,'.
SEC. 114. RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM.
(a) In General- Section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2020(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (22) by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (23)(C) by striking the period at the end and inserting
`; and'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(24) if the State elects to carry out a program to contract with
private establishments to offer meals at concessional prices, as described
in paragraphs (3), (4), and (9) of section 3(k)--
`(A) the plans of the State agency for operating the program,
including--
`(i) documentation of a need that eligible homeless, elderly, and
disabled clients are underserved in a particular geographic
area;
`(ii) the manner by which the State agency will limit participation
to only those private establishments that the State determines necessary
to meet the need identified in clause (i); and
`(iii) any other conditions the Secretary may prescribe, such as the
level of security necessary to ensure that only eligible recipients
participate in the program; and
`(B) a report by the State agency to the Secretary annually, the
schedule of which shall be established by the Secretary, that
includes--
`(i) the number of households and individual recipients authorized
to participate in the program, including any information on whether the
individual recipient is elderly, disabled, or homeless; and
`(ii) an assessment of whether the program is meeting an established
need, as documented under subparagraph (A)(i).'.
(b) Approval of Retail Food Stores and Wholesale Food Concerns- Section 9
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2018) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
`(h) Private Establishments-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), no private establishment that
contracts with a State agency to offer meals at concessional prices as
described in paragraphs (3), (4), and (9) of section 3(k) may be authorized
to accept and redeem benefits unless the Secretary determines that the
participation of the private establishment is required to meet a documented
need in accordance with section 11(e)(24).
`(A) IN GENERAL- If, on the day before the effective date of this
subsection, a State has entered into a contract with a private
establishment described in paragraph (1) and the Secretary has not
determined that the participation of the private establishment is
necessary to meet a documented need in accordance with section 11(e)(24),
the Secretary shall allow the operation of the private establishment to
continue without that determination of need for a period not to exceed 180
days from the date on which the Secretary establishes determination
criteria, by regulation, under section 11(e)(24).
`(B) JUSTIFICATION- If the Secretary determines to terminate a
contract with a private establishment that is in effect on the effective
date of this subsection, the Secretary shall provide justification to the
State in which the private establishment is located for that
termination.
`(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 90 days after September 30,
2014, and 90 days after the last day of each fiscal year thereafter, the
Secretary shall report to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate on the effectiveness of a program under this subsection using any
information received from States under section 11(e)(24) as well as any
other information the Secretary may have relating to the manner in which
benefits are used.'.
(c) Conforming Amendments- Section 3(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(k)) is amended by inserting `subject to section 9(h)'
after `concessional prices' each place it appears.
SEC. 115. MANDATING STATE IMMIGRATION VERIFICATION.
Section 11(p) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(p)) is
amended to read as follows:
`(p) State Verification Option- In carrying out the supplemental nutrition
assistance program, a State agency shall be required to use an income and
eligibility, or an immigration status, verification system established under
section 1137 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-7), in accordance
with standards set by the Secretary.'.
SEC. 116. DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDIZATION FOR IMPROVED INTEROPERABILITY.
(a) Data Exchange Standardization- Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(v) Data Exchange Standards for Improved Interoperability-
`(1) DESIGNATION- The Secretary shall, in consultation with an
interagency work group established by the Office of Management and Budget,
and considering State government perspectives, designate data exchange
standards to govern, under this part--
`(A) necessary categories of information that State agencies operating
such programs are required under applicable law to electronically exchange
with another State agency; and
`(B) Federal reporting and data exchange required under applicable
law.
`(2) REQUIREMENTS- The data exchange standards required by paragraph (1)
shall, to the extent practicable--
`(A) incorporate a widely accepted, non-proprietary, searchable,
computer-readable format, such as the eXtensible Markup Language;
`(B) contain interoperable standards developed and maintained by
intergovernmental partnerships, such as the National Information Exchange
Model;
`(C) incorporate interoperable standards developed and maintained by
Federal entities with authority over contracting and financial
assistance;
`(D) be consistent with and implement applicable accounting
principles;
`(E) be implemented in a manner that is cost-effective and improves
program efficiency and effectiveness; and
`(F) be capable of being continually upgraded as necessary.
`(3) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION- Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to require a change to existing data exchange standards for
Federal reporting found to be effective and efficient.'.
(b) Effective Date- The Secretary shall issue a proposed rule within 24
months after the date of the enactment of this Act. The rule shall identify
federally required data exchanges, include specification and timing of
exchanges to be standardized, and address the factors used in determining
whether and when to standardize data exchanges. It should also specify state
implementation options and describe future milestones.
SEC. 117. PILOT PROJECTS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATION IN IDENTIFYING
AND REDUCING FRAUD IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2021) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(i) Pilot Projects To Improve Federal-State Cooperation in Identifying
and Reducing Fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall carry out, under such terms and
conditions as determined by the Secretary, pilot projects to test innovative
Federal-State partnerships to identify, investigate, and reduce retailer
fraud in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, including allowing
States to operate retail Food Store investigation programs. At least 1 such
pilot project shall be carried out in an urban area that is among the 10
largest urban areas in the United States (based on population) if the
supplemental nutrition assistance program is separately administered in such
area and if the administration of such program in such area complies with
the other applicable requirements of such program.
`(2) SELECTION CRITERIA- Pilot projects shall be selected based on
criteria the Secretary establishes, which shall include--
`(A) enhancing existing efforts by the Secretary to reduce retailer
fraud;
`(B) requiring participant States to maintain their overall level of
effort at addressing recipient fraud, as determined by the Secretary,
prior to participation in the pilot project;
`(C) collaborating with other law enforcement authorities as necessary
to carry out an effective pilot project;
`(D) commitment of the participant State agency to follow Federal
rules and procedures with respect to retailer investigations; and
`(E) the extent to which a State has committed resources to recipient
fraud and the relative success of those efforts.
`(A) The Secretary shall evaluate the projects selected under this
subsection to measure the impact of the pilot projects.
`(B) Such evaluation shall include--
`(i) each pilot project's impact on increasing the Secretary's
capacity to address retailer fraud;
`(ii) the effectiveness of the pilot projects in identifying,
preventing and reducing retailer fraud; and
`(iii) the cost effectiveness of such pilot projects.
`(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than September 30, 2017, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry of
the Senate, a report that includes a description of the results of each
pilot project, including an evaluation of the impact of the project on
retailer fraud and the costs associated with each pilot project.
`(5) FUNDING- Any costs incurred by the State to operate the pilot
projects in excess of the amount expended under this Act for retailer fraud
in the respective State in the previous fiscal year shall not be eligible
for Federal reimbursement under this Act.'.
SEC. 118. PROHIBITING GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES.
(a) Administrative Cost-Sharing and Quality Control- Section 16(a)(4) of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(a)(4)) is amended by
inserting after `recruitment activities' the following: `designed to persuade
an individual to apply for program benefits or that promote the program via
television, radio, or billboard advertisements'.
(b) Limitation on Use of Funds Authorized To Be Appropriated Under Act-
Section 18 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`(g) Ban on Recruitment and Promotion Activities- (1) Except as provided
in paragraph (2), no funds authorized to be appropriated under this Act shall
be used by the Secretary for--
`(A) recruitment activities designed to persuade an individual to apply
for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits;
`(B) television, radio, or billboard advertisements that are designed to
promote supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits and enrollment;
or
`(C) any agreements with foreign governments designed to promote
supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits and enrollment.
`(2) Paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to programmatic activities
undertaken with respect to benefits made available in response to a natural
disaster.'.
(c) Ban on Recruitment Activities by Entities That Receive Funds- Section
18 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027) is amended by adding
at the end the following :
`(h) Ban on Recruitment by Entities That Receive Funds- The Secretary
shall issue regulations that forbid entities that receive funds under this Act
to compensate any person for conducting outreach activities relating to
participation in, or for recruiting individuals to apply to receive benefits
under, the supplemental nutrition assistance program if the amount of such
compensation would be based on the number of individuals who apply to receive
such benefits.'.
SEC. 119. REPEAL OF BONUS PROGRAM.
Section 16(d) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(d)) is
repealed.
SEC. 120. FUNDING OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.
Section 16(h)(1)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2025(h)(1)(A)) is amended by striking `$90,000,000' and all that follows
through `$79,000,000', and inserting `$79,000,000 for each fiscal year'.
SEC. 121. MONITORING EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.
(a) Reporting Measures- Section 16(h)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(5)) is amended to read:
`(5)(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall monitor the employment and
training programs carried out by State agencies under section 6(d)(4) and
assess their effectiveness in--
`(i) preparing members of households participating in the supplemental
nutrition assistance program for employment, including the acquisition of
basic skills necessary for employment; and
`(ii) increasing the numbers of household members who obtain and
retain employment subsequent to their participation in such employment and
training programs.
`(B) REPORTING MEASURES- The Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Labor, shall develop reporting measures that identify
improvements in the skills, training education or work experience of members
of households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance
program. Measures shall be based on common measures of performance for
federal workforce training programs, so long as they reflect the challenges
facing the types of members of households participating in the supplemental
nutrition assistance program who participate in a specific employment and
training component. The Secretary shall require that each State employment
and training plan submitted under section 11(e)(19) identify appropriate
reporting measures for each of their proposed components that serve at least
100 people. Such measures may include:
`(i) the percentage and number of program participants who received
employment and training services and are in unsubsidized employment
subsequent to the receipt of those services;
`(ii) the percentage and number of program participants who obtain a
recognized postsecondary credential, including a registered
apprenticeship, or a regular secondary school diploma or its recognized
equivalent, while participating in or within 1 year after receiving
employment and training services;
`(iii) the percentage and number of program participants who are in an
education or training program that is intended to lead to a recognized
postsecondary credential, including a registered apprenticeship or
on-the-job training program, a regular secondary school diploma or its
recognized equivalent, or unsubsidized employment;
`(iv) subject to the terms and conditions set by the Secretary,
measures developed by each State agency to assess the skills acquisition
of employment and training program participants that reflect the goals of
their specific employment and training program components, which may
include, but are not limited to--
`(I) the percentage and number of program participants who are
meeting program requirements in each component of the State's education
and training program; and
`(II) the percentage and number of program participants who are
gaining skills likely to lead to employment as measured through testing,
quantitative or qualitative assessment or other method; and
`(v) other indicators as approved by the Secretary.
`(C) STATE REPORT- Each State agency shall annually prepare and submit
to the Secretary a report on the State's employment and training program
that includes the numbers of supplemental nutrition assistance program
participants who have gained skills, training, work or experience that will
increase their ability to obtain regular employment using measures
identified in subparagraph (B).
`(D) MODIFICATIONS TO THE STATE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PLAN- Subject to
the terms and conditions established by the Secretary, if the Secretary
determines that the state agency's performance with respect to employment
and training outcomes is inadequate, the Secretary may require the State
agency to make modifications to their employment and training plan to
improve such outcomes.
`(E) PERIODIC EVALUATION-
`(i) IN GENERAL- Subject to terms and conditions established by the
Secretary, not later than October 1, 2016, and not less frequently than
once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a study to
review existing practice and research to identify employment and training
program components and practices that--
`(I) effectively assist members of households participating in the
supplemental nutrition assistance program in gaining skills, training,
work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular
employment, and
`(II) are best integrated with statewide workforce development
systems.
`(ii) REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Secretary shall submit a report that
describes the results of the study under clause (i) to the Committee on
Agriculture in the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in the Senate.'.
(b) Effective Date- Notwithstanding section 4(c) of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(a)), the Secretary shall issue interim final
regulations implementing the amendment made by subsection (a) no later than 18
months after the date of enactment of this Act. States shall include such
reporting measures in their employment and training plans for the 1st fiscal
year thereafter that begins no sooner than 6 months after the date that such
regulations are published.
SEC. 122. COOPERATION WITH PROGRAM RESEARCH AND EVALUATION.
Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(l) Cooperation With Program Research and Evaluation- States, State
agencies, local agencies, institutions, facilities such as data consortiums,
and contractors participating in programs authorized under this Act shall
cooperate with officials and contractors acting on behalf of the Secretary in
the conduct of evaluations and studies under this Act and shall submit
information at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require.'.
SEC. 123. PILOT PROJECTS TO REDUCE DEPENDENCY AND INCREASE WORK EFFORT IN
THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026), as
amended by section 121, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(m) Pilot Projects To Reduce Dependency and Increase Work Effort in the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall carry out, under such terms and
conditions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate, pilot projects to
identify best practices for employment and training programs under this Act
to raise the number of work registrants who obtain unsubsidized employment,
increase their earned income, and reduce their reliance on public
assistance, including but not limited to the supplemental nutrition
assistance program.
`(2) SELECTION CRITERIA- Pilot projects shall be selected based on
criteria the Secretary establishes, that shall include--
`(A) enhancing existing employment and training programs in the
State;
`(B) agreeing to participate in the evaluation described in paragraph
(3), including making available data on participants' employment
activities and post-participation employment, earnings, and public benefit
receipt;
`(C) collaborating with the State workforce board and other job
training programs in the State and local area;
`(D) the extent to which the pilot project's components can be easily
replicated by other States or political subdivisions; and
`(E) such additional criteria that ensure that the pilot
projects--
`(i) target a variety of populations of work registrants, including
childless adults, parents, and individuals with low skills or limited
work experience;
`(ii) are selected from a range of existing employment and training
programs including programs that provide--
`(I) section 20 workfare;
`(II) skills development for work registrants with limited
employment history;
`(III) post-employment support services necessary for maintaining
employment; and
`(IV) education leading to a recognized postsecondary credential,
registered apprenticeship, or secondary school diploma or its
equivalent;
`(iii) are located in a range of geographic areas, including rural,
urban, and Indian reservations; and
`(iv) include participants who are exempt and not exempt under
section (6)(d)(2).
`(3) EVALUATION- The Secretary shall provide for an independent
evaluation of projects selected under this subsection to measure the impact
of the pilot projects on the ability of each pilot project target population
to find and retain employment that leads to increased household income and
reduced dependency, compared to what would have occurred in the absence of
the pilot project.
`(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS- By September 30, 2017, the Secretary shall
submit, to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, a
report that includes a description of--
`(A) the results of each pilot project, including an evaluation of the
impact of the project on the employment, income, and public benefit
receipt of the targeted population of work registrants;
`(B) the Federal, State, and other costs of each pilot
project;
`(C) the planned dissemination of the reports' findings with State
agencies; and
`(D) the steps and funding necessary to incorporate components of
pilot projects that demonstrate increased employment and earnings into
State employment and training programs.
`(5) FUNDING- From amounts made available under section 18(a)(1), the
Secretary shall make $10,000,000 available for each of the fiscal years
2014, 2015, and 2016 to carry out this subsection. Such amounts shall remain
available until expended.
`(A) Funds provided under this subsection for pilot projects shall be
used only for--
`(i) pilot projects that comply with the provisions of this
Act;
`(ii) the costs and administration of the pilot
projects;
`(iii) the costs incurred in providing information and data to the
independent evaluation under paragraph (3); and
`(iv) the costs of the evaluation under paragraph (3).
`(B) Funds made available under this subsection may not be used to
supplant non-Federal funds used for existing employment and training
activities.'.
SEC. 124. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2027(a)(1)) is amended in the 1st sentence by striking `2012' and inserting
`2016'.
SEC. 125. LIMITATION ON USE OF BLOCK GRANT TO PUERTO RICO.
Section 19(a)(2)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2028(a)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(iii) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS- None of the funds made available
to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under this subparagraph may be used
to provide nutrition assistance in the form of cash
benefits.'.
SEC. 126. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS.
(a) Definition- Section 25(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended--
(1) in subclause (II) by striking `and' at the end;
(2) in subclause (III) by striking `or' at the end and inserting `and';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(IV) to provide incentives for the consumption of fruits and
vegetables among low-income individuals; or'.
(b) Additional Funding- Section 25(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(A) IN GENERAL- Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the
Secretary to carry out this section not less than $10,000,000 for fiscal
year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter. Of the amount made available
under this subparagraph for each such fiscal year, $5,000,000 shall be
available to carry out subsection (a)(1)(B)(I)(IV).
`(B) RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE- The Secretary shall be entitled to
receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section, the funds
transferred under subparagraph (A) without further appropriation.
`(C) MAINTENANCE OF FUNDING- The funding provided under subparagraph
(A) shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal funding made
available to the Secretary to carry out this section.'.
SEC. 127. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE.
(a) Purchase of Commodities- Section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking `2008 through 2012' and inserting `2013
through 2016';
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and
inserting the following:
`(A) for fiscal year 2013, $265,750,000;
`(B) for fiscal year 2014, the dollar amount of commodities specified
in subparagraph (A) adjusted by the percentage by which the thrifty food
plan has been adjusted under section 3(u)(4) between June 30, 2012 and
June 30, 2013, and increased by $70,000,000;
`(C) for fiscal year 2015, the dollar amount of commodities determined
for fiscal year 2014 under subparagraph (B) adjusted by the percentage by
which the thrifty food plan has been adjusted under section 3(u)(4)
between June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2014;
`(D) for fiscal year 2016, the dollar amount of commodities determined
for fiscal year 2015 under subparagraph (C) adjusted by the percentage by
which the thrifty food plan has been adjusted under section 3(u)(4)
between June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015, and reduced by $50,000,000;
and
`(E) for each subsequent fiscal year, the dollar amount of commodities
determined for the preceding fiscal year adjusted to reflect the
percentage by which the thrifty food plan has been adjusted under section
3(u)(4) for the 12-month period ending on the preceding June 30.';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(3) FUNDS AVAILABILITY- For purposes of the funds described in this
subsection, the Secretary shall--
`(A) make the funds available for 2 fiscal years; and
`(B) allow States to carry over unexpended balances to the next fiscal
year pursuant to such terms and conditions as are determined by the
Secretary.'.
(b) Emergency Food Program Infrastructure Grants- Section 209(d) of the
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7511a(d)) is amended by
striking `2012' and inserting `2016'.
SEC. 128. NUTRITION EDUCATION.
Section 28 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036a) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b) by inserting `and physical activity' after
`healthy food choices'; and
(2) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (D) by striking `$401,000,000;' and inserting
`$372,000,000; and';
(B) by striking subparagraph (E); and
(C) in subparagraph (F) by striking `(F) for fiscal year 2016' and
inserting `(E) for fiscal year 2015'.
SEC. 129. RETAILER TRAFFICKING.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`SEC. 29. RETAILER TRAFFICKING.
`(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to provide the Department of
Agriculture with additional resources to prevent trafficking in violation of
this Act by strengthening recipient and retailer program integrity. Additional
funds are provided to supplement the Department's payment accuracy, and
retailer and recipient integrity activities.
`(1) IN GENERAL- Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary
to carry out this section not less than $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and
each fiscal year thereafter.
`(2) RECEIPT AND ACCEPTANCE- The Secretary shall be entitled to receive,
shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred
under paragraph (1) without further appropriation.
`(3) MAINTENANCE OF FUNDING- The funding provided under paragraph (1)
shall supplement (and not supplant) other Federal funding for programs
carried out under this Act.'.
SEC. 130. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (g) by striking `coupon,' the last place it appears
and inserting `coupon';
(2) in subsection (k)(7) by striking `or are' and inserting `and';
(3) by striking subsection (l);
(4) by redesignating subsections (m) through (t) as subsections (l)
through (s), respectively; and
(5) by inserting after subsection (s) (as so redesignated) the
following:
`(t) `Supplemental nutritional assistance program' means the program
operated pursuant to this Act.'.
(b) Section 4(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(a))
is amended by striking `benefits' the last place it appears and inserting
`Benefits'.
(c) Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) is
amended--
(1) in the last sentence of subsection (i)(2)(D) by striking `section
13(b)(2)' and inserting `section 13(b)'; and
(2) in subsection (k)(4)(A) by striking `paragraph (2)(H)' and inserting
`paragraph (2)(G)'.
(d) Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2015(d)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B)(vii) by moving the left margin 4 ems to the
left, and
(2) in subparagraph (F)(iii) by moving the left margin 6 ems to the
left.
(e) Section 7(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h))
is amended by redesignating the 2d paragraph (12) as paragraph (13).
(f) Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2021) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3)(C) by striking `civil money penalties' and
inserting `civil penalties'; and
(2) in subsection (g)(1) by striking `(7 U.S.C. 1786)' and inserting
`(42 U.S.C. 1786)'.
(g) Section 15(b)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2024(b)(1)) is amended in the 1st sentence by striking `an benefit' both
places it appears and inserting `a benefit'.
(h) Section 16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(a))
is amended in the proviso following paragraph (8) by striking `, as
amended.'.
(i) Section 18(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(e))
is amended in the 1st sentence by striking `sections 7(f)' and inserting
`section 7(f)'.
(j) Section 22(b)(10)(B)(i) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2031(b)(10)(B)(i)) is amended in the last sentence by striking `Food
benefits' and inserting `Benefits'.
(k) Section 26(f)(3)(C) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2035(f)(3)(C)) is amended by striking `subsection' and inserting
`subsections'.
(l) Section 27(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2036(a)(1)) is amended by striking `(Public Law 98-8; 7 U.S.C. 612c note)' and
inserting `(7 U.S.C. 7515)'.
(m) Section 509 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3056g) is
amended in the section heading by striking `food stamp programs' and inserting
`supplemental nutrition assistance program'.
(n) Section 4115(c)(2)(H) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 1871) is amended by striking `531' and
inserting `454'.
(o) Section 3803(c)(2)(C)(vii) of title 31 of the United States Code is
amended by striking `section 3(l)' and inserting `section 3(s)'.
(p) Section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2) by striking `section 3(l)' and inserting
`section 3(s)';
(2) in subsection (b)(2) by striking `section 3(l)' and inserting
`section 3(s)'; and
(3) in subsection (e)(2) by striking `section 3(l)' and inserting
`section 3(s)'.
(q) The Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c) is
amended--
(1) in section 4(a) by striking `Food Stamp Act of 1977' and inserting
`Food and Nutrition Act of 2008'; and
(A) in subsection (i)(1) by striking `Food Stamp Act of 1977' and
inserting `Food and Nutrition Act of 2008'; and
(B) in subsection (l)(2)(B) by striking `Food Stamp Act of 1977' and
inserting `Food and Nutrition Act of 2008'.
(r) The Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in the heading of section 453(j)(10) by striking `FOOD STAMP' and
inserting `SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE';
(A) in subsection (a)(5)(B) by striking `food stamp' and inserting
`supplemental nutrition assistance'; and
(B) in subsection (b)(4) by striking `food stamp program under the
Food Stamp Act of 1977' and inserting `supplemental nutrition assistance
program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008'; and
(3) in the heading of section 1631(n) by striking `Food Stamp' and
inserting `Supplemental Nutrition Assistance'.
SEC. 131. TOLERANCE LEVEL FOR EXCLUDING SMALL ERRORS.
The Secretary shall set the tolerance level for excluding small errors for
the purposes of section 16(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2025(c))--
(1) for fiscal year 2014 at an amount no greater than $25; and
(2) for each fiscal year thereafter, the amount specified in paragraph
(1) adjusted by the percentage by which the thrifty food plan is adjusted
under section 3(u)(4) of such Act between June 30, 2012, and June 30 of the
immediately preceding fiscal year.
SEC. 132. COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS PILOT PROGRAM.
(1) IN GENERAL- Prior to establishing the pilot program under subsection
(b), the Secretary shall conduct a study to be completed not later than 2
years after the effective date of this section to assess--
(A) the capabilities of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands to operate the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the
same manner in which the program is operated in the States (as defined in
section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.));
and
(B) alternative models of the supplemental nutrition assistance
program operation and benefit delivery that best meet the nutrition
assistance needs of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands.
(2) SCOPE- The study conducted under paragraph (1)(A) will assess the
capability of the Commonwealth to fulfill the responsibilities of a State
agency, including--
(A) extending and limiting participation to eligible households, as
prescribed by sections 5 and 6 of the Act;
(B) issuing benefits through EBT cards, as prescribed by section 7 of
the Act;
(C) maintaining the integrity of the program, including operation of a
quality control system, as prescribed by section 16(c) of the
Act;
(D) implementing work requirements, including operating an employment
and training program, as prescribed by section 6(d) of the Act;
and
(E) paying a share of administrative costs with non-Federal funds, as
prescribed by section 16(a) of the Act.
(b) Establishment- If the Secretary determines that a pilot program is
feasible, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program for the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands to operate the supplemental nutrition
assistance program in the same manner in which the program is operated in the
States.
(c) Scope- The Secretary shall utilize the information obtained from the
study conducted under subsection (a) to establish the scope of the pilot
program established under subsection (b).
(d) Report- Not later than June 30, 2019, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the pilot
program carried out under this section, including an analysis of the
feasibility of operating in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
the supplemental nutrition assistance program as it is operated in the
States.
(1) STUDY- Of the funds made available under section 18(a)(1) of the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, the Secretary may use not more than
$1,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 to conduct the study
described in subsection (a).
(2) PILOT PROGRAM- Of the funds made available under section 18(a)(1) of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, for the purposes of establishing and
carrying out the pilot program established under subsection (b) of this
section, including the Federal costs for providing technical assistance to
the Commonwealth, authorizing and monitoring retail food stores, and
assessing pilot operations, the Secretary may use not more than--
(A) $13,500,000 in fiscal year 2016; and
(B) $8,500,000 in each of fiscal years 2017 and 2018.
SEC. 133. ANNUAL STATE REPORT ON VERIFICATION OF SNAP PARTICIPATION.
(a) Annual Report- Not later 1 year after the date specified by the
Secretary in the 180-period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
Act, and annually thereafter, each State agency that carries out the
supplemental nutrition assistance program shall submit to the Secretary a
report containing sufficient information for the Secretary to determine
whether the State agency has, for the then most recently concluded fiscal year
preceding such annual date, verified that households to which such State
agency provided such assistance in such fiscal year--
(1) did not obtain benefits attributable to a deceased individual;
(2) did not include an individual who was simultaneously included in a
household receiving such assistance in another State; and
(3) did not include, during the time benefits were provided, an
individual who was then disqualified from receiving benefits.
(b) Penalty for Noncompliance- For any fiscal year for which a State
agency fails to comply with subsection (a), the Secretary shall reduce by 50
percent the amount otherwise payable to such State agency under section 16(a)
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 with respect to such fiscal year.
SEC. 134. TERMINATION OF EXISTING AGREEMENT.
Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, the memorandum of
understanding entered into on July 22, 2004, by the Secretary of Agriculture
of the United States Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Mexico and known as the `Partnership for Nutrition
Assistance Initiative' is null and void.
SEC. 135. SERVICE OF TRADITIONAL FOODS IN PUBLIC FACILITIES.
(a) Definitions- In this section:
(1) FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM- The term `food service program'
includes--
(A) food service at a residential child care facility with a license
from an appropriate State agency;
(B) a child nutrition program (as defined in section 25(b) of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1769f(b));
(C) food service at a hospital or clinic or long term care facility;
and
(D) a senior meal program.
(2) INDIAN; INDIAN TRIBE; INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATION- The terms
`Indian'; `Indian tribe'; and `Indian Tribal Organization' have the meanings
given those terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(A) IN GENERAL- The term `traditional food' means food that has
traditionally been prepared and consumed by an Indian tribe.
(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `traditional food' includes--
(b) Program- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
shall allow the donation to and serving of traditional food through a food
service program at a public facility, nonprofit facility, including facilities
operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization that primarily serves
Indians if the operator of the food service program--
(1) ensures that the food is received whole, gutted, gilled, as
quarters, or as a roast, without further processing;
(2) makes a reasonable determination that--
(A) the animal was not diseased;
(B) the food was butchered, dressed, transported, and stored to
prevent contamination, undesirable microbial growth, or deterioration;
and
(C) the food will not cause a significant health hazard or potential
for human illness;
(3) carries out any further preparation or processing of the food at a
different time or in a different space from the preparation or processing of
other food for the applicable program to prevent cross-contamination;
(4) cleans and sanitizes food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils
after processing the traditional food; and
(5) labels donated traditional food with the name of the food and stores
the traditional food separately from other food for the applicable program,
including through storage in a separate freezer or refrigerator or in a
separate compartment or shelf in the freezer or refrigerator.
(c) Liability- Liability for damages from donated traditional food and
products to the participating food service program shall not be subject to
civil or criminal liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or
condition of donated food.
SEC. 136. TESTING APPLICANTS FOR UNLAWFUL USE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.
Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015), as
amended by section 109, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(s) Testing Applicants for Unlawful Use of Controlled Substances-
`(1) Nothing in this Act, or in any other Federal law, shall be
considered to prevent a State, at the full cost to such State, from--
`(A) enacting legislation to provide for testing any individual who is
a member of a household applying for supplemental nutrition assistance
benefits, for the unlawful use of controlled substances as a condition for
receiving such benefits; and
`(B) finding an individual ineligible to participate in the
supplemental nutrition assistance program on the basis of the positive
result of the testing conducted by the State under such
legislation.
`(2) For purposes of this subsection, term `controlled substance' has
the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act
((21 U.S.C. 802).'.
SEC. 137. ELIGIBILITY DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN CONVICTED FELONS.
(a) Amendment- Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2015), as amended by sections 109 and 135, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`(t) Disqualification for Certain Convicted Felons-
`(1) IN GENERAL- An individual shall not be eligible for benefits under
this Act if the individual is convicted of--
`(A) aggravated sexual abuse under section 2241 of title 18, United
States Code;
`(B) murder under section 1111 of title 18, United States
Code;
`(C) an offense under chapter 110 of title 18, United States
Code;
`(D) a Federal or State offense involving sexual assault, as defined
in 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C.
13925(a)); or
`(E) an offense under State law determined by the Attorney General to
be substantially similar to an offense described in subparagraph (A), (B),
or (C).
`(2) EFFECTS ON ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS FOR OTHERS- The amount of
benefits otherwise required to be provided to an eligible household under
this Act shall be determined by considering the individual to whom paragraph
(1) applies not to be a member of such household, except that the income and
resources of the individual shall be considered to be income and resources
of the household.
`(3) ENFORCEMENT- Each State shall require each individual applying for
benefits under this Act, during the application process, to state, in
writing, whether the individual, or any member of the household of the
individual, has been convicted of a crime described in paragraph
(1).'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 5(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(a)), as amended by section 109, is amended in the 2d
sentence by striking `and (r)' and inserting `, (r), and (t)'.
(c) Inapplicability to Convictions Occurring on or Before Enactment- The
amendments made by this section shall not apply to a conviction if the
conviction is for conduct occurring on or before the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 138. EXPUNGEMENT OF UNUSED SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
BENEFITS.
Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020), as
amended by section 115, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(w) Expungement of Unused Benefits- The State agency shall expunge from
the EBT account of a household benefits that are not used before the
expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date such benefits are posted
to such account.'.
SEC. 139. PILOT PROJECTS TO PROMOTE WORK AND INCREASE STATE ACCOUNTABILITY
IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Pilot Projects- Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2026), as amended by sections 122 and 123, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
`(n) Pilot Projects To Promote Work and Increase State Accountability in
the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-
`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall carry out pilot projects to develop
and test methods allowing States to run a work program with certain features
comparable to the State program funded under part A of title IV of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), with the intent of increasing
employment and self-sufficiency through increased State accountability and
thereby reducing the need for supplemental nutrition assistance
benefits.
`(A) IN GENERAL- In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall
enter into cooperative agreements with States in accordance with pilot
projects that meet the criteria required under this subsection.
`(B) APPLICATION- To be eligible to enter into a cooperative agreement
to operate a pilot project under this subsection, a State shall amend its
State plan under section 11(d) to include a description of its pilot
project and explanations of how such project meets the criteria required
under this subsection. The Secretary may not disapprove a pilot project
which meets the requirements under this subsection.
`(C) ASSURANCES- A State shall include in its plan assurances that its
pilot project will--
`(i) operate for at least three 12-month periods but not more than
five 12-month periods;
`(ii) have a robust data collection system for program
administration that is designed and shared with project evaluators to
ensure proper and timely evaluation; and
`(iii) intend to offer a work activity described in paragraph (3) to
adults assigned and required to participate under paragraph (4)(A) and
who are not exempt under paragraph (4)(B).
`(D) NUMBER OF PILOT PROJECTS- Any State may carry out a pilot project
that meets the requirements of this subsection.
`(E) EXTENT OF PILOT PROJECTS- Pilot projects shall cover no less than
the entire State.
`(3) WORK ACTIVITY- (A) For purposes of this subsection, the term `work
activity' means any of the following:
`(i) Employment in the public or private sector that is not subsidized
by any public program.
`(ii) Employment in the private sector for which the employer receives
a subsidy from public funds to offset some or all of the wages and costs
of employing an adult.
`(iii) Employment in the public sector for which the employer receives
a subsidy from public funds to offset some or all of the wages and costs
of employing an adult.
`(iv) A work activity that--
`(I) is performed in return for public benefits;
`(II) provides an adult with an opportunity to acquire the general
skills, knowledge, and work habits necessary to obtain
employment;
`(III) is designed to improve the employability of those who cannot
find unsubsidized employment; and
`(IV) is supervised by an employer, work site sponsor, or other
responsible party on an ongoing basis.
`(v) Training in the public or private sector that is given to a paid
employee while he or she is engaged in productive work and that provides
knowledge and skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the
job.
`(vi) Job search, obtaining employment, or preparation to seek or
obtain employment, including--
`(I) life skills training;
`(II) substance abuse treatment or mental health treatment,
determined to be necessary and documented by a qualified medical,
substance abuse, or mental health professional; or
`(III) rehabilitation activities,
supervised by a public agency or other responsible party on an ongoing
basis.
`(vii) Structured programs and embedded activities--
`(I) in which adults perform work for the direct benefit of the
community under the auspices of public or nonprofit
organizations;
`(II) that are limited to projects that serve useful community
purposes in fields such as health, social service, environmental
protection, education, urban and rural redevelopment, welfare,
recreation, public facilities, public safety, and child
care;
`(III) that are designed to improve the employability of adults not
otherwise able to obtain unsubsidized employment; and
`(IV) that are supervised on an ongoing basis; and
`(V) with respect to which a State agency takes into account, to the
extent possible, the prior training, experience, and skills of a
recipient in making appropriate community service
assignments.
`(viii) Career and technical training programs (not to exceed 12
months with respect to any adult) that are directly related to the
preparation of adults for employment in current or emerging occupations
and that are supervised on an ongoing basis.
`(ix) Training or education for job skills that are required by an
employer to provide an adult with the ability to obtain employment or to
advance or adapt to the changing demands of the workplace and that are
supervised on an ongoing basis.
`(x) Education that is related to a specific occupation, job, or job
offer and that is supervised on an ongoing basis.
`(xi) In the case of an adult who has not completed secondary school
or received such a certificate of general equivalence, regular
attendance--
`(I) in accordance with the requirements of the secondary school or
course of study, at a secondary school or in a course of study leading
to such certificate; and
`(II) supervised on an ongoing basis.
`(xii) Providing child care to enable another recipient of public
benefits to participate in a community service program that--
`(I) does not provide compensation for such community
service;
`(II) is a structured program designed to improve the employability
of adults who participate in such program; and
`(III) is supervised on an ongoing basis.
`(B) PROTECTIONS- Work activities under this subsection shall be subject
to all applicable health and safety standards. Except as described in
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A), the term `work activity'
shall be considered work preparation and not defined as employment for
purposes of other law.
`(4) PILOT PROJECTS- Pilot projects carried out under this subsection
shall include interventions to which adults are assigned that are designed
to reduce unnecessary dependence, promote self-sufficiency, increase work
levels, increase earned income, and reduce supplemental nutrition assistance
benefit expenditures among households eligible for, applying for, or
participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
`(A) Adults assigned to interventions by the State shall--
`(i) be subject to mandatory participation in work activities
specified in paragraph (3);
`(ii) participate in work activities specified in paragraph (3) for
a minimum of 20 hours per week per household;
`(iii) be a maximum age of not less than 50 and not more than 60, as
defined by the State;
`(iv) be subject to penalties during a period of nonparticipation
without good cause ranging from, at State option, a minimum of the
removal of the adults from the household benefit amount, up to a maximum
of the discontinuance of the entire household benefit amount;
and
`(v) not be penalized for nonparticipation if child care is not
available for 1 or more children under 6 years of age.
`(B) The State shall allow certain individuals to be exempt from work
requirements--
`(i) those participating in work programs under a State program
funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
601 et seq.) for an equal or greater number of hours;
`(ii) those with 1 or more dependent children under 1 year of
age;
`(iii) 1 adult family member per household who is needed in the home
to care for a disabled family member;
`(iv) an adult who is receiving temporary or permanent disability
benefits provided by a governmental entity; and
`(v) those with a good cause reason for nonparticipation, such as
victims of domestic violence, as defined by the State.
`(5) EVALUATION AND REPORTING-
`(i) INDEPENDENT EVALUATION-
`(I) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall provide for each State that
enters into a cooperative agreement under paragraph (2) an
independent, longitudinal evaluation of its pilot project under this
subsection to determine total program savings over the entire course
of the pilot project with results reported in consecutive 12-month
increments.
`(II) PURPOSE- The purpose of the evaluation is to measure the
impact of interventions provided by the State under the pilot project
on the ability of adults in households eligible for, applying for, or
participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program to find
and retain employment that leads to increased household income and
reduced dependency.
`(III) REQUIREMENT- The independent evaluation under subclause (I)
shall use valid statistical methods which can determine the difference
between supplemental nutrition assistance benefit expenditures, if
any, as a result of the interventions as compared to a control group
that--
`(aa) is not subject to the interventions provided by the State under
the pilot project under this subsection; and
`(bb) maintains services provided under 16(h) in the year prior to
the start of the pilot project under this subsection.
`(IV) OPTION- States shall have the option to evaluate pilot
projects by matched counties or matched geographical areas using a
constructed control group design to isolate the effects of the
intervention of the pilot project.
`(V) DEFINITION- Constructed control group means there is no
random assignment, and instead program participants (those subject to
interventions) and non-participants (control described in subclause
(III)) are equated using matching or statistical procedures on
characteristics that may be associated with program
outcomes.
`(B) REPORTING- Not later than 90 days after the end of fiscal year
2014 and of each fiscal year thereafter, until the completion of the last
evaluation under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, a report that
includes a description of--
`(i) the status of each pilot project carried out under this
subsection;
`(ii) the results of the evaluation completed during the previous
fiscal year; and
`(iii) to the maximum extent practicable--
`(I) baseline information relevant to the stated goals and desired
outcomes of the pilot project;
`(II) the impact of the interventions on appropriate employment,
income, and public benefit receipt outcomes among households
participating in the pilot project;
`(III) equivalent information about similar or identical measures
for control groups;
`(IV) the planned dissemination of the report findings to State
agencies; and
`(V) the steps and funding necessary to incorporate into State
employment and training programs the components of pilot projects that
demonstrate increased employment and earnings.
`(C) PUBLIC DISSEMINATION- In addition to the reporting requirements
under subparagraph (B), evaluation results shall be shared broadly to
inform policy makers, service providers, other partners, and the public in
order to promote wide use of successful strategies, including by posting
evaluation results on the Internet website of the Department of
Agriculture.
`(A) ADDITIONAL AVAILABLE FUNDS- From amounts made available under
section 18(a)(1), the Secretary shall make available--
`(i) up to $1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2017
for evaluations described in paragraph (5) to carry out this subsection,
with such amounts to remain available until expended; and
`(ii) amounts equal to one-half of the accumulated supplemental
nutrition assistance benefit dollars saved over each consecutive
12-month period according to the evaluation under paragraph (5) for
bonus grants to States under paragraph (7)(B).
`(B) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES-
`(i) REIMBURSEMENT- Except as provided in clause (ii)--
`(I) if, in carrying out a pilot project under this subsection
during a fiscal year, a State incurs costs that exceed the amount
allocated to the State agency under section 16(h)(1), the Secretary
shall pay such State an amount equal to 50 percent of such costs;
and
`(II) the Secretary shall also reimburse the State in an amount
equal to 50 percent of the total amount of payments made or costs
incurred by the State agency in connection with transportation costs
and other expenses reasonably necessary and directly related to
participation in a pilot project under this subsection, except that
the amount of the reimbursement for dependent care expenses shall not
exceed an amount equal to the payment made under section
6(d)(4)(I)(i)(II) but not more than the applicable local market rate,
and such reimbursement shall not be made out of funds allocated under
section 16(h)(1).
`(ii) LIMITATION- For any fiscal year, the Secretary may not pay
under clause (i) to a State an amount the exceeds the amount equal to
the product of--
`(I) the amount of administrative expenses that would be
reimbursable for such fiscal year to such State under clause (i)
without regard to this clause; and
`(II) $277,000,000 (plus the amount carried over, if any, under
clause (iii)), divided by the aggregate amount of administrative
expenses that would be reimbursable for such fiscal year to all of the
States under clause (i) without regard to this clause.
`(iii) CARRYOVER- The amount by which $277,000,000 exceeds the
aggregate amount paid under clause (i) for a particular fiscal year
shall remain available for payments under such clause for any subsequent
fiscal year.
`(C) OTHER FUNDS- Any additional funds required by a State to carry
out a pilot project under this subsection may be provided by the State
from funds made available to the State for such purpose and in accordance
with State and other Federal laws, including the following:
`(i) Section 403 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
603).
`(ii) The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 9201 et
seq.).
`(iii) The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42
U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) and section 418 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 618).
`(iv) The social services block grant under subtitle A of title XX
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq.).
`(A) SPECIFIC USES- Funds provided under this subsection for
evaluation of pilot projects under paragraph (6)(A)(i) shall be used only
for--
`(i) pilot projects that comply with this subsection;
`(ii) the costs incurred in gathering and providing information and
data used to conduct the independent evaluation under paragraph (5);
and
`(iii) the costs of the evaluation under paragraph (5).
`(B) LIMITATION- Funds provided for bonus grants to States for pilot
projects under subparagraph (6)(A)(ii) shall be used only for--
`(i) pilot projects that comply with this subsection;
and
`(ii) any State purpose, not to be restricted to the supplemental
nutrition assistance program or its beneficiary
population.'.
(b) Conforming Amendments- The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2011 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 16, as amended by section 121 of this Act--
(A) in subsection (a) by striking `subsection (k)' and inserting
`subsections (k) and (h) and section 20'; and
(I) in subparagraph (A) by inserting `under sections 6(d)(4) and
17(n)' after `programs'; and
(II) by striking subparagraph (E);
(ii) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3), and inserting the
following:
`(2) EXCLUSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS- No funds may
be paid under subsection (a) to a State agency for administrative costs
incurred to carry out any of such programs in such fiscal year.';
(iii) in paragraph (4) by inserting `or 17(n)' after `section
6(d)(4)'; and
(iv) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (3) and
(4), respectively;
(2) in section 20 by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
`(g) Exclusion of Reimbursement for Administrative Costs- No funds may be
paid under this section to a State agency for administrative costs incurred to
carry out a workfare program operated under this section.'; and
(3) in section 22(d)(1)(B)(ii) by striking `, (g), (h)(2), and (h)(3)'
and inserting `and (g)'.
SEC. 140. IMPROVED WAGE VERIFICATION USING THE NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW
HIRES.
Effective October 1, 2013, section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by inserting `and after compliance with the
requirement specified in paragraph (24)' after `section 16(e) of this
Act',
(2) in paragraph (22) by striking `and' at the end,
(3) in paragraph (23) by striking the period at the end and inserting `;
and', and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
`(24) that the State agency shall request wage data directly from the
National Directory of New Hires established under section 453(i) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(i)) relevant to determining eligibility
to receive supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits and
determining the correct amount of such benefits.'.
SEC. 141. FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR INDIAN TRIBES.
Section 4 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
`(d) Feasibility Study for Indian Tribes-
`(1) STUDY- Subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out
this subsection, the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the
feasibility of a tribal demonstration project for tribes to administer all
Federal food assistance programs, services, functions, and activities (or
portions thereof) of the agency.
`(2) CONSIDERATIONS- In conducting the study, the Secretary shall
consider--
`(A) the probable effects on specific programs and program
beneficiaries of such a demonstration project;
`(B) statutory, regulatory, or other impediments to implementation of
such a demonstration project;
`(C) strategies for implementing such a demonstration
project;
`(D) probable costs or savings associated with such a demonstration
project;
`(E) methods to assure quality and accountability in such a
demonstration project; and
`(F) such other issues that may be determined by the Secretary or
developed through consultation with pursuant to paragraph (4).
`(3) REPORT- Not later than 18 months after the effective date of this
subsection, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives. The report shall
contain--
`(A) the results of the study under this subsection;
`(B) a list of programs, services, functions, and activities (or
portions thereof) within each agency with respect to which it would be
feasible to include in a tribal demonstration project;
`(C) a list of programs, services, functions, and activities (or
portions thereof) included in the list provided pursuant to subparagraph
(B) that could be included in a tribal demonstration project without
amending a statute, or waiving regulations that the Secretary may not
waiver; and
`(D) a list of legislative actions required in order to include those
programs, services, function, and activities (or portions thereof)
included in the list provided pursuant to subparagraph (B) but not
included in the list provided pursuant to subparagraph (C), in a tribal
demonstration project.
`(4) CONSULTATION WITH INDIAN TRIBES- The Secretary shall consult with
Indian tribes to determine a protocol for consultation under paragraph (1)
prior to consultation under such paragraph with the other entities described
in such paragraph. The protocol shall require, at a minimum, that--
`(A) the government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes
forms the basis for the consultation process;
`(B) the Indian tribes and the Secretary jointly conduct the
consultations required by this subsection; and
`(C) the consultation process allows for separate and direct
recommendations from the Indian tribes and other entities described in
paragraph (1).
`(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000.'.
TITLE II--COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.
Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7
U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended in the 1st sentence by striking
`2012' and inserting `2016'.
SEC. 202. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM.
Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C.
612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended--
(1) in paragraphs (1) and (2)(B) of subsection (a) by striking `2012'
each place it appears and inserting `2016';
(2) in the 1st sentence of subsection (d)(2) by striking `2012' and
inserting `2016';
(3) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
`(g) Eligibility- Except as provided in subsection (m), the States shall
only provide assistance under the commodity supplemental food program to
low-income individuals aged 60 and older.'; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
`(m) Phase-Out- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual
who receives assistance under the commodity supplemental food program on the
day before the effective date of this subsection shall continue to receive
that assistance until the date on which the individual no longer qualifies for
assistance under the eligibility criteria for the program in effect on the day
before the effective date of this subsection.'.
SEC. 203. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES TO SPECIAL NUTRITION
PROJECTS.
Section 1114(a)(2)(A) of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C.
1431e(2)(A)) is amended in the 1st sentence by striking `2012' and inserting
`2016'.
SEC. 204. PROCESSING OF COMMODITIES.
(a) Section 17 of the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments
of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) is amended by--
(1) striking the heading and inserting `commodity donations and
processing'; and
(2) adding at the end the following:
`(c) Processing- For any program included in subsection (b), the Secretary
may, notwithstanding any other provision of State or Federal law relating to
the procurement of goods and services--
`(1) retain title to commodities delivered to a processor, on behalf of
a State (including a State distributing agency and a recipient agency),
until such time as end products containing such commodities, or similar
commodities as approved by the Secretary, are delivered to a State
distributing agency or to a recipient agency; and
`(2) promulgate regulations to ensure accountability for commodities
provided to a processor for processing into end products, and to facilitate
processing of commodities into end products for use by recipient agencies.
Such regulations may provide that--
`(A) a processor that receives commodities for processing into end
products, or provides a service with respect to such commodities or end
products, in accordance with its agreement with a State distributing
agency or a recipient agency, provide to the Secretary a bond or other
means of financial assurance to protect the value of such commodities;
and
`(B) in the event a processor fails to deliver to a State distributing
agency or a recipient agency an end product in conformance with the
processing agreement entered into under this Act, the Secretary take
action with respect to the bond or other means of financial assurance
pursuant to regulations promulgated under this paragraph and distribute
any proceeds obtained by the Secretary to one or more State distributing
agencies and recipient agencies as determined appropriate by the
Secretary.'.
(b) Definitions- Section 18 of the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and
WIC Amendments of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) is amended by striking paragraphs
(1) and (2) and inserting the following:
`(1) The term `commodities' means agricultural commodities and their
products that are donated by the Secretary for use by recipient
agencies.
`(2) The term `end product' means a food product that contains processed
commodities.'.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendments- Section 3 of the Commodity
Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public
Law 100-237) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
`(B) the program established under section 4(b) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b));'; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(D) by striking `the Committee on Education and
Labor' and inserting `the Committee on Education and the
Workforce';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) by striking `section 32 of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)' and inserting `section
32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c)';
(3) in subsection (e)(1)(D)(iii) by striking subclause (II) and
inserting the following:
`(II) the program established under section 4(b) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b));'; and
(4) in subsection (k) by striking `the Committee on Education and Labor'
and inserting `the Committee on Education and the Workforce'.
TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 301. FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.
Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 3007) is amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking `seniors';
(2) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
`(1) IN GENERAL- Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall use to carry out and expand the farmers
market nutrition program $20,600,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2016.
`(2) ADDITIONAL FUNDING- There is authorized to be appropriated such
sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection for each of the fiscal
years specified in paragraph (1).
`(3) REQUIREMENT- Not less than 50 percent of the funds made available
to carry out this section in any fiscal year shall be used to provide
assistance to seniors.';
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking `seniors';
and
(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting `, and low-income families who are
determined to be at nutritional risk' after `low-income seniors';
(4) in subsection (c) by striking `seniors';
(5) in subsection (d) by striking `seniors';
(6) in subsection (e) by striking `seniors';
(7) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) as subsections
(d), (e), (f), and (g), respectively; and
(8) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
`(c) State Grants and Other Assistance- The Secretary shall carry out the
Program through grants and other assistance provided in accordance with
agreements made with States, for implementation through State agencies and
local agencies, that include provisions--
`(1) for the issuance of coupons or vouchers to participating
individuals;
`(2) establishing an appropriate annual percentage limitation on the use
of funds for administrative costs; and
`(3) specifying other terms and conditions as the Secretary deems
appropriate to encourage expanding the participation of small scale farmers
in Federal nutrition programs.'.
SEC. 302. NUTRITION INFORMATION AND AWARENESS PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 4403 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 3171 note; Public Law 107-171) is repealed.
SEC. 303. FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM.
Section 19 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1769a) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking `fresh';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking `fresh';
(3) in subsection (b), by striking `fresh'; and
(4) in subsection (e), by striking `fresh'.
SEC. 304. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND
OTHER SPECIALTY FOOD CROPS.
Section 10603 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 612c-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking `2012' and inserting `2016';
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
`(c) Pilot Grant Program for Purchase of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Using amounts made available to carry out subsection
(b), the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a pilot program under which
the Secretary will give not more than five participating States the option
of receiving a grant in an amount equal to the value of the commodities that
the participating State would otherwise receive under this section for each
of fiscal years 2014 through 2016.
`(2) USE OF GRANT FUNDS- A participating State receiving a grant under
this subsection may use the grant funds solely to purchase fresh fruits and
vegetables for distribution to schools and service institutions in the State
that participate in the food service programs under the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.).
`(3) SELECTION OF PARTICIPATING STATES- The Secretary shall select
participating States from applications submitted by the States.
`(4) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS-
`(A) SCHOOL AND SERVICE INSTITUTION REQUIREMENT- Schools and service
institutions in a participating State shall keep records of purchases of
fresh fruits and vegetables made using the grant funds and report such
records to the State.
`(B) STATE REQUIREMENT- Each participating State shall submit to the
Secretary a report on the success of the pilot program in the State,
including information on--
`(i) the amount and value of each type of fresh fruit and vegetable
purchased by the State; and
`(ii) the benefit provided by such purchases in conducting the
school food service in the State, including meeting school meal
requirements.'.
SEC. 305. ENCOURAGING LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY GROWN AND RAISED FOOD.
(a) Commodity Purchase Streamlining- The Secretary may permit each school
food authority with a low annual commodity entitlement value, as determined by
the Secretary, to elect to substitute locally and regionally grown and raised
food for the authority's allotment, in whole or in part, of commodity
assistance for the school meal programs under the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966
(42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), if--
(1) the election is requested by the school food authority;
(2) the Secretary determines that the election will reduce State and
Federal administrative costs; and
(3) the election will provide the school food authority with greater
flexibility to purchase locally and regionally grown and raised foods.
(b) Farm-to-School Demonstration Programs-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may establish farm-to-school demonstration
programs under which school food authorities, agricultural producers
producing for local and regional markets, and other farm-to-school
stakeholders will collaborate with the Agriculture Marketing Service to, on
a cost neutral basis, source food for the school meal programs under the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) from local farmers
and ranchers in lieu of the commodity assistance provided to the school food
authorities for the school meal programs.
(A) IN GENERAL- Each demonstration program carried out under this
subsection shall--
(i) facilitate and increase the purchase of unprocessed and
minimally processed locally and regionally grown and raised agricultural
products to be served under the school meal programs;
(ii) test methods to improve procurement, transportation, and meal
preparation processes for the school meal programs;
(iii) assess whether administrative costs can be saved through
increased school food authority flexibility to source locally and
regionally produced foods for the school meal programs; and
(iv) undertake rigorous evaluation and share information about
results of the demonstration program, including cost savings, with the
Secretary, other school food authorities, agricultural producers
producing for the local and regional market, and the general
public.
(B) PLANS- In order to be selected to carry out a demonstration
program under this subsection, a school food authority shall submit to the
Secretary a plan at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may
require, and containing information with respect to the requirements
described in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A).
(3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE- The Secretary shall provide technical
assistance to demonstration program participants to assist such participants
to acquire bids from potential vendors in a timely and cost-effective
manner.
(4) LENGTH- The Secretary shall determine the appropriate length of time
for each demonstration program under this subsection.
(5) COORDINATION- The Secretary shall coordinate among relevant agencies
of the Department of Agriculture and non-governmental organizations with
appropriate expertise to facilitate the provision of training and technical
assistance necessary to successfully carry out demonstration programs under
this subsection.
(6) NUMBER- Subject to the availability of funds to carry out this
subsection, the Secretary shall select at least 10 demonstration programs to
be carried out under this subsection.
(7) DIVERSITY AND BALANCE- In selecting demonstration programs to be
carried out under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, ensure--
(A) geographical diversity;
(B) that at least half of the demonstration programs are completed in
collaboration with school food authorities with small annual commodity
entitlements, as determined by the Secretary;
(C) that at least half of the demonstration programs are completed in
rural or tribal communities;
(D) equitable treatment of school food authorities with a high
percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price lunches, as
determined by the Secretary; and
(E) that at least one of the demonstration programs is completed on a
military installation as defined in section 2687(e)(1) of title 10, United
States Code.
SEC. 306. REVIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS OF WHITE POTATOES.
The Secretary shall conduct a review of the economic and public health
benefits of white potatoes on low-income families who are determined to be at
nutritional risk. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall report the findings of this review to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
SEC. 307. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.
(a) In General- Subtitle D of title II of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6951 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
`SEC. 242. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.
`(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to enhance the authorities of
the Secretary to support efforts to provide access to healthy food by
establishing an initiative to improve access to healthy foods in underserved
areas, to create and preserve quality jobs, and to revitalize low-income
communities by providing loans and grants to eligible fresh, healthy food
retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to entry in
underserved areas.
`(b) Definitions- In this section:
`(1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION- The term `community
development financial institution' has the meaning given the term in section
103 of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of
1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702).
`(2) INITIATIVE- The term `Initiative' means the Healthy Food Financing
Initiative established under subsection (c)(1).
`(3) NATIONAL FUND MANAGER- The term `national fund manager' means a
community development financial institution that is--
`(A) in existence on the date of enactment of this section;
and
`(B) certified by the Community Development Financial Institution Fund
of the Department of Treasury to manage the Initiative for purposes
of--
`(i) raising private capital;
`(ii) providing financial and technical assistance to partnerships;
and
`(iii) funding eligible projects to attract fresh, healthy food
retailers to underserved areas, in accordance with this
section.
`(4) PARTNERSHIP- The term `partnership' means a regional, State, or
local public-private partnership that--
`(A) is organized to improve access to fresh, healthy foods;
`(B) provides financial and technical assistance to eligible projects;
and
`(C) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may
establish.
`(5) PERISHABLE FOOD- The term `perishable food' means a staple food
that is fresh, refrigerated, or frozen.
`(6) QUALITY JOB- The term `quality job' means a job that provides wages
and other benefits comparable to, or better than, similar positions in
existing businesses of similar size in similar local economies.
`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `staple food' means food that is a basic
dietary item.
`(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `staple food' includes--
`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish an initiative to
achieve the purpose described in subsection (a) in accordance with this
subsection.
`(i) IN GENERAL- In carrying out the Initiative, the Secretary shall
provide funding to entities with eligible projects, as described in
subparagraph (B), subject to the priorities described in subparagraph
(C).
`(ii) USE OF FUNDS- Funds provided to an entity pursuant to clause
(i) shall be used--
`(I) to create revolving loan pools of capital or other products
to provide loans to finance eligible projects or
partnerships;
`(II) to provide grants for eligible projects or
partnerships;
`(III) to provide technical assistance to funded projects and
entities seeking Initiative funding; and
`(IV) to cover administrative expenses of the national fund
manager in an amount not to exceed 10 percent of the Federal funds
provided.
`(B) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS- Subject to the approval of the Secretary, the
national fund manager shall establish eligibility criteria for projects
under the Initiative, which shall include the existence or planned
execution of agreements--
`(i) to expand or preserve the availability of staple foods in
underserved areas with moderate- and low-income populations by
maintaining or increasing the number of retail outlets that offer an
assortment of perishable food and staple food items, as determined by
the Secretary, in those areas; and
`(ii) to accept benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance
program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2011 et seq.).
`(C) PRIORITIES- In carrying out the Initiative, priority shall be
given to projects that--
`(i) are located in severely distressed low-income communities, as
defined by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund of the
Department of Treasury; and
`(ii) include 1 or more of the following
characteristics:
`(I) The project will create or retain quality jobs for low-income
residents in the community.
`(II) The project supports regional food systems and locally grown
foods, to the maximum extent practicable.
`(III) In areas served by public transit, the project is
accessible by public transit.
`(IV) The project involves women- or minority-owned
businesses.
`(V) The project receives funding from other sources, including
other Federal agencies.
`(VI) The project otherwise advances the purpose of this section,
as determined by the Secretary.
`(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $125,000,000, to
remain available until expended.'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6) by striking `or' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (7) by striking the period at the end and inserting `;
or'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
`(8) the authority of the Secretary to establish and carry out the
Health Food Financing Initiative under section 242.'.
SEC. 308. REVIEW OF SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACTS IN FEDERAL NUTRITION
PROGRAMS.
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of sole-source contracts in
Federal nutrition programs, and the effect such contracts have on program
participation, program goals, nonprogram consumers, retailers, and free market
dynamics. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall report the findings of this review to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
SEC. 309. PURCHASE OF HALAL AND KOSHER FOOD FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
Section 202 of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7502)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(h) Kosher and Halal Food- As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall finalize and implement a
plan--
`(1) to increase the purchase of Kosher and Halal food from food
manufacturers with a Kosher or Halal certification to carry out the program
established under this Act if the Kosher and Halal food purchased is cost
neutral as compared to food that is not from food manufacturers with a
Kosher or Halal certification; and
`(2) to modify the labeling of the commodities list used to carry out
the program in a manner that enables Kosher and Halal food bank operators to
identify which commodities to obtain from local food banks.'.
END
Digest for H.R.
3102 113th Congress, 1st Session
Legislation
Votes
Related
Votes
H.R.
3102
H.R. 3102, Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity
Act of 2013
Sponsor |
Rep. Lucas,
Frank |
Committee |
Agriculture |
Date |
September 19, 2013 (113th Congress, 1st Session) |
Staff Contact |
Kimberly Betz |
On Thursday, September 19, 2013, the House will consider H.R.
3102, the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act of
2013, under a rule. H.R. 3102 was introduced on September 16, 2013 by
Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK), Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture.
H.R. 3102 includes provisions contained in H.R. 1947, the Federal
Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, including:
- Reinstating the asset and income test in the supplemental nutrition
assistance program (SNAP) law by limiting categorical program eligibility to
only those households receiving cash assistance from other low-income
programs;
- Closing a loophole related to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) payments that increases SNAP benefits;
- Eliminating state performance bonuses;
- Preventing USDA and states from advertising or promoting SNAP;
- Cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse by ending SNAP benefits for
lottery winners and traditional college students, demanding outcomes from
the SNAP Employment and Training program, and increasing oversight of SNAP
programs for the homeless, elderly, and disabled; and
- Improving the quality of SNAP-approved retail stores.
H.R. 3102 includes amendments added during floor consideration of H.R.
3102, including:
- Allowing states to conduct pilot projects that adopt TANF-type work
requirements for able-bodied adults with children (with the exception of
those individuals with a federally-qualified disability, individuals with
sole responsibility for care of child under age one or under age six if no
child care is available). States have the ability to sanction individuals
who refuse to participate in 20 hours per week of work activities and will
share in 50 percent of savings that result from moving people off SNAP;
- Allowing states to conduct drug testing on SNAP applicants as a
condition for receiving benefits (similar to reforms put into UI); and
- Ending eligibility for SNAP for convicted violent rapists, pedophiles
and murderers (for new beneficiaries).
H.R. 3102 includes additional reforms totaling $20 billion in savings,
including:
- Decoupling SNAP from farm commodities, authorizing the program for three
years;
- Removing states ability to obtain waivers for the work requirement for
able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). ABAWDs are required to work
20 hours per week. The elimination of the waivers ensures that four million
able-bodied adults without dependents are required to engage in work
activities; and
Building on incentives for states to opt-in to the work requirements for
able-bodied adults with dependents allowing only those states that adopt
TANF-type work requirements in SNAP to receive 50 percent federal match for
employment and training activities.

SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program, is intended to provide benefits to
low income households. It has been reauthorized by the farm bill since 1973
and was last reauthorized by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.[1]
While the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for
administering SNAP, states have frameworks in place to implement the
program.[2] As of 2012, 48 million Americans participated in SNAP, with
benefits averaging $133 per month.[3]
Households are eligible for benefits if they meet one of two tests: (1)
financial tests that require beneficiaries to demonstrate monthly income and
liquid assets below statutory limits (adjusted for inflation); or (2)
categorical tests that allow beneficiaries of other means-tested support such
as Temporary Assistance of Needy Families (TANF), supplemental security income
(SSI), and state General Assistance (GA) to be automatically eligible to
receive SNAP. [4] According to CRS, the breadth of this categorical option
results particularly from the option to grant SNAP eligibility to those who
receive a TANF-funded benefit. As TANF is a flexible block grant with a wide
range of allowable expenditures, this means any TANF benefit or services, not
just traditional cash welfare, can result in categorical eligibility for
SNAP.[5]
In addition to financial eligibility, most individuals who are considered
able-bodied adults must meet a work requirement, including: (1) register for
work; (2) accept a suitable job if offered one; (3) fulfill any work, job
search, or training requirements established by administering SNAP agencies;
(4) provide the administering public assistance agency with sufficient
information to allow a determination with respect to their job availability;
and (5) not voluntarily quit a job without good cause or reduce work effort
below 30 hours a week.[6] The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Welfare Reform) set forth additional work
requirements for childless able-bodied adults (ABAWDs) aged 18-49.
Specifically, welfare reform limited the time frame ABAWDs could receive
benefits to a three out of 36 month period, unless an ABAWD could demonstrate
that s/he was: (1) working at least 20 hours a week; (2) participating in an
employment and training program for at least 20 hours a week; or (3)
participating in a SNAP workfare program for at least 20 hours a week.[7]
However, welfare reform also allowed states to waive the ABAWD requirements
for (1) areas with unemployment exceeding 10 percent; or (2) areas that do
not have sufficient numbers of jobs to provide employment for individuals.[8]
In addition, up to 15 percent of ABAWDs could be exempted by a state on its
own initiative.[9] The 2009 stimulus bill provided a nationwide waiver to the
1996 work requirements from April 2009 to September 30, 2010. Since then, the
Administration has used the extended unemployment benefits to extend waivers
to the work requirement for ABAWDs in 49 states and territories.[10]
[6] See id at 10. Those individuals who are exempt from the work
requirements by law include: individuals physically or mentally unfit for
work; under age 16 or over age 59; between ages 16 and 18 if they are not a
head of household or are attending school or a training program; persons
working at least 30 hours a week or earning the minimum wage equivalent;
persons caring for dependents who are disabled or under age 6; those caring
for children between ages 6 and 12 if adequate child care is not available
(this second exemption is limited to allowing these persons to refuse a job
offer if care is not available); individuals already subject to and complying
with another assistance program's work, training, or job search requirements
(for example, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF] or unemployment
compensation); eligible postsecondary students; and residents of substance
abuse treatment programs. (See id).
[10] See Background on the Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act
prepared by the Office of the Majority Leader at 2.

According to CBO,
H.R. 3102 would make several changes to the supplemental nutrition assistance
program (SNAP) and extend its authorization for three years. In its May 2013
baseline, CBO projected that spending for SNAP would total $764 billion over
the 2014-2023 period. Relative to that baseline, we estimate that enacting
H.R. 3102 would reduce direct spending by $39 billion over the 2013-2024
period.[1]
113th Congress | First Session | 03 January 2013
||| FedCURE c2a |||
OPPOSE U.S.
Rep's. Hudson, Reed and Scott's, mean spirited,
Amendments, to the "Farm Bill" - H.R. 1947.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ~ FARM BILL DEFEATED In the U.S. House
in a 195-234 vote. BRAVO! Job Well Done.
Now on to the BARBER AMENDMENT.
20 June 2013/17:00
UPDATE:
In a 195-234 vote, the FARM Bill #HR1947 was defeated in the House.
BRAVO!
Just when we thought we were down after loosing on the Hudson and Reed
Amendments, late last night, the entire bill has been defeated in the House.
HASH TAGS: #Piss4Food #foodstamps #farmbill #hr1947
BRAVO.
Many kind thanks for all of your support. Job well done.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
From POPVOX's Hill sources:
In the House:
The House started early and was on track to pass a Farm
Bill, but in the final vote, the bill failed 195-234.
The bill was H.R.
1947, and included some reforms to U.S. farm
policy. Nearly all the heated debate, however dealt with the food stamps
program, and in fact roughly 80 percent of the bill deals with food
stamps.
The legislation was always on shaky ground, as it cut $20
billion from food stamps, which most Democrats opposed. Democrats also opposed
language added at the last minute that would let states tie food stamp
benefits to work requirements.
At the same time, many Republicans felt more cuts were
needed, as the overall expense of the bill was nearly 60 percent higher than
the last farm bill in 2008. The cost increase reflected additional food stamp
spending, some of which was provided by the 2009 stimulus bill.
In the end, just 24 Democrats voted for it, while House
Leadership had expected 40 Democrats to support the bill. More importantly, 62
Republicans voted against it, making it impossible to overcome the weight of
opposition on both sides.
It's not clear what's next, but a temporary patch may be
needed. The Senate has already passed a farm bill that spends a bit more than
the House proposal.
http://www.popvox.com/blog/
FedCURE
OPPOSE U.S.
Rep's. Hudson, Reed and Scott's, mean spirited,
Amendments, to the "Farm Bill" - H.R. 1947.
Piss-4-Food is just
plain WRONG!
PEOPLE Please: CONTACT CONGRESS NOW!
Call the
Capital Switchboard to talk to your
Congressperson: 1.888.891.3271
.
Tell your Congressperson to OPPOSE
U.S. Rep's. Hudson, Reed and Scott's, mean spirited, Amendments to the "Farm
Bill"
H.R. 1947 - Bans food
assistance to certain offenders.
tweet: #Piss4Food
ORGANIZATIONS ~ Please SignOn:
Deadline, Today, Thursday, June 20, at 12 pm
To SignOn, please forward this
message and name of your organization to:
Grant Smith: gsmith@drugpolicy.org
Mark O'Brien: mobrien@lac.org
Jeremy Haile: jhaile@sentencingproject.org
OPPOSE: Cuts in the House bill
"particularly to the federal food stamp program" have drawn complaints from
Democrats. Many Republicans believe the bill still spends too much,
making it unclear whether it can survive in the House. However, the
Amendments below, if passed, will be a huge social disruption and
have a negative impact on the people who need the assistance the most, which
will only increase recidivism rates. The only ones who win here are the
people who own the drug testing enterprises:
"PISS-4-FOOD."
ALL, Please OPPOSE the Amendments, to the
"Farm Bill" - H.R. 1947:
-
HUDSON.
AMENDMENT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE PRINT OF H.R. 1947
OFFERED BY MR. HUDSON OF NORTH CAROLINA:
Drug testing food stamp recipients (Rep. Hudson ? Amendment No.
46): Would allow states to begin
drug testing persons who apply or receive SNAP benefits (food
stamps). The courts, for good cause, have prevented sates from
imposing drug testing, but Amendment No. 46 would override the courts
ban.
-
SCOTT.
AMENDMENT TO RULES COMMITTEE PRINT 113-14, H.R. 1947
FEDERAL AGRICULTURE REFORM AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013 OFFERED BY MR.
AUSTIN SCOTT OF GEORGIA:
Require states to deny TANF for drug felonies (Rep. Scott -
Amendment No. 131): Would
repeal a long standing federal law that has allowed states to opt-out
of federal ban on the provision of both TANF and SNAP to persons with a
drug felony conviction on their record (traditionally, the states
have opted-out of the federal ban to deny assistance to persons with a
drug felony conviction.. Evidence gathered under the gold standard shows
that drug felons are among the most in need of food assistance).
These amendments must still be approved by the House
Rules committee, so it is important you take action in opposition,
today.
TAKE ACTION NOW!

Over-criminalization is an issue of
liberty.
As federal
criminal laws and regulations have increased, so has the number of Americans
who have found themselves breaking the law with no intent of doing
so.
Americans who make
innocent mistakes should not be charged with criminal
offenses.
House Judiciary
Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.)
Over-Criminalization [bi-partisan] Task Force of 2013
BARBER AMENDMENT IS CURE ~ Dangerously
Over Crowded Federal Prison System
Despite a ten year build out, increased double bunking and triple
bunking, since 2003, the overcrowding rate hovers at 38%. The federal prison
population was 165,000 in January 2003. May 2013, it is hovering at 218,500.
America cannot build its way out of crowding. BARBER to S.619 and H.R.1695,
retroactively, is CURE.
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