SB 118-65: SNAP to the Future Act - Passed

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Aye ftr

[fhtagn]

Motion for a final vote

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A final vote is beginning.

Aye

[Vice President Christian Man]

Aye

[nerd73]

Aye

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[Dr. MB]

Aye

[Pyro]

Aye

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Aye

[Joseph Cao]

Aye.

[Jay 🏳️‍⚧️]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Aye

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Aye

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Aye

[reagente]

Aye

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

PASSES 14-0-0-4

SNAP To The Future Act

SENATE BILL

To increase SNAP eligibility and benefits whilst retaining vital federal agencies

Be it enacted,

Section I: SNAP Benefits

1. Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shall be expanded -
a. To include persons employed or self-employed earning up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
b. To include persons with at least one dependent child in their household earning up to 220% of the federal poverty level.
c. To include persons aged 60 or older, or with a disability, earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level.

2. Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shall no longer factor the following:
a. Asset or resource tests, including funds in bank accounts.
b. Past criminal activity or felony convictions.

3. Eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shall be modified as follows:
a. Income deductions for child support payments, out of pocket medical expenses, medical supply costs, dependent care costs, shelter costs, and utility bills must be considered when determining SNAP eligibility.
b. Three-month time limits on SNAP eligibility for working-age adults who cannot document sufficient hours of work shall be eliminated.
c. Part-time or full-time attendance at an institution of higher education shall be considered as a form of qualification the same as work.

4. Benefits provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shall be expanded as follows:
a. Maximum benefit amounts shall  -
i. Be primarily based on household income with a minimum benefit of $275 per month for an eligible 1-person household.
ii. Increase on a progressive sliding scale based on the number of individuals in an eligible household.
iii. Be adjusted in 2025 and all subsequent fiscal years to account for cost-of-living increases.
iv. Not decrease unless the applicant is no longer eligible for benefits, or has reported a change of income.
b. Prepared hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption shall be eligible for SNAP benefits.

Section II: Implementation

1. This act shall take effect on March 1st, 2024.

[Vice President Christian Man]

When was the last time the Senate voted on something unanimously? Great work everyone and Happy New Year.

[Joseph Cao]

When was the last time the Senate voted on something unanimously? Great work everyone and Happy New Year.

Off the top of my head Paws Need Claws passed unanimously and that was a few months ago, but I'm sure there are plenty of others. They're not as rare as you might think.