TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Kansas Republican has proposed two bills concerning the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aimed at combating fraud and banning certain sweet foods.
Rep. Francis Awerkamp (R-Jackson, Riley and Pottawatomie Counties) introduced these bills this week, targeting SNAP in Kansas. One piece of legislation, House Bill 2738, seeks to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks within the program, while the other, House Bill 2731, aims to establish a dedicated anti-fraud unit to investigate issues within SNAP.
Targeting Food Purchases and Fraud
If passed, HB 2738 would authorize the secretary of DCF to request or update a waiver application concerning SNAP. This change would enable the state to restrict the purchase of items classified as candy and soft drinks.
Under HB 2738, candy is defined to include hard candies, gummies, taffy, licorice, mints, chocolate bars, and chewing gum. Soft drinks are identified as non-alcoholic beverages containing natural or artificial sweeteners.
HB 2731, if approved in its current form, instructs the secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families to engage the Office of the Inspector General in creating a fraud detection unit by January 1, 2027. This unit would focus on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting SNAP fraud.
Political Context
The SNAP program in Kansas has recently become a focal point of political debate between Republican and Democratic parties. Governor Laura Kelly has declined to provide data related to SNAP to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, asserting that it would compromise the privacy of 730,000 residents by exposing their personal information.
In response, Republican lawmakers have accused Governor Kelly and the DCF of obfuscating issues related to fraud and abuse within SNAP. Furthermore, lawmakers are currently reviewing Senate Bill 428, which could compel the governor to release the data sought by the USDA.
Audit Findings
A recent audit conducted by the Legislative Division of Post Audit revealed numerous discrepancies in SNAP operations. According to the LPA, the SNAP payment error rate has significantly increased since 2017, surpassing the federal error threshold of 6% for seven consecutive years, primarily due to errors made by both applicants and DCF staff.
Both HB 2731 and HB 2738 are scheduled for further discussion in the Committee on Welfare Reform on Tuesday, February 10. This meeting can be streamed live on YouTube.
Key Takeaways
- Two Kansas bills target fraud and the purchase of certain foods in SNAP.
- House Bill 2738 aims to prohibit candy and soft drinks from SNAP purchases.
- House Bill 2731 proposes creating a fraud detection unit by 2027.
- The Kansas SNAP program is currently caught in a political dispute.
- A recent audit revealed significant error rates in SNAP operations.
FAQ
What is House Bill 2738 about?
This bill seeks to ban candy and soft drinks from being purchased with SNAP benefits.
What is the purpose of House Bill 2731?
The bill aims to establish a fraud detection unit to investigate SNAP fraud cases.
When will the bills be discussed further?
The bills are set for further discussion on February 10 in the Committee on Welfare Reform.
What issues have been identified in the SNAP program?
A recent audit found increased error rates in SNAP, surpassing federal limits since 2017.
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