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Minutes for SB79 - Committee on Welfare Reform
Short Title
Directing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 6, 2025
Chairman Awerkamp called the meeting to order at 1:34 p.m.
The Chairman opened the hearing on SB79. He commented that the bill was essentially the same as HB2015 that was heard by the Committee earlier in the session.
Assistant Revisor David Wiese briefed members on the bill (Attachment 1). He explained that the bill requests a waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by the Secretary of Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) that would prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks using the food assistance benefit card.
The Chair noted the written-only proponent testimony:
- Roy Lenardson, Visiting Fellow, Opportunity Solutions Project (Attachment 2).
The Chair also commented on the written-only opponent testimony:
- Dr. Carla Whiteside-Hicks, Director of Economic and Employment Services, DCF (Attachment 3);
- Dustin Hare, Economic Security Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 4);
- Brian Posler, Executive Director, Fuel True Independent Energy and Convenience (Attachment 5);
- Karen Siebert, Advocacy and Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters - The Community Food Network (Attachment 6);
- Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber (Attachment 7);
- Haley Kottler, Campaign Director, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Attachment 8); and
- Derek Hein, Executive Director, Kansas Beverage Association (Attachment 9).
The Chair invited any of the written-only opponents to testify. Ms. Kottler stated that the bill will have negative effects for Kansas citizens, many of whom are food insecure due to low incomes and who rely on the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) cards. Commenting that the bill further limits the autonomy of individuals, she stated that resources would be better utilized by finding ways to improve the health of Kansas citizens.
The Chair closed the hearing on SB79.
