House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB379 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Authorizing the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from certain limitations under the food assistance program.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 24, 2020
Chairman Suellentrop opened the hearing on SB379.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor, gave an overview of SB379.
Senator Mike Petersen testified as a proponent of SB379. He stated that SB379 allows the Secretary of Department of Children and Families to request a waiver of SNAP time limits under the exceptional circumstances provision in the federal code. Currently a waiver can only be applied for if the 12-month average unemployment rate is over 10% or 20% or more above national average and did not drop below 6% during the 24-month period. He said he thinks it is in the best interest of Kansas to have it available in case the aviation economy does not recover as fast as it is hoped.(Attachment 12)
Rebekah Gaston, in her proponent testimony, stated that SB379 would allow Kansas to request a waiver of food assistance time limits for certain adults without disabilities or children on their cases during extended periods of exceptionally high unemployment. Federal law allows able-bodied adults without dependents on their cases only three months of food assistance benefits unless they are working 20 hours per week. (Attachment 13)
Patrick Hutchison stated that the Kansas Food Bank supports SB379, which would return to the Secretary of the Department for Children and Families the authority to request a federal waiver for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who are receiving time-limited food assistance benefits during time of economic crisis and high employment. (Attachment 14)
Matthew Tannehill testified that it is his belief that if the Secretary holds the authority to issue federal waivers, the ability to address the needs of the community during times of unforeseen economic situations will be improved and the needs of struggling families will be met in a more timely manner. (Attachment 15)
Scott Gardner stated in his proponent testimony that SB379 would allow the DCF secretary to ask the USDA to relax time limits for hardworking Kansans who may be negatively affected by a prolonged shutdown. (Attachment 16)
Questions were posed by committee members.
Proponent, written only testimony was submitted by:
John Wilson, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 17)
Chairman Suellentrop closed the hearing on SB379.
