Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 403 (2025GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Chevrier, Kristen

Final action

Governor Signed 3/27/2025

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Spencer J. Cox

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• enacts provisions related to Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
• requires the Department of Workforce Services (department) to request a waiver from the federal government regarding the use of SNAP benefits for certain foods;
• requires the department to:
• submit the waiver before July 1, 2025;
• implement the waiver within a certain period of time upon approval of the waiver; and
• if the waiver is denied, reapply until a waiver is approved; and
• has reporting requirements.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

4
35A-17-101
35A-17-102
0
SNAP Funds Amendments
2025 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Kristen Chevrier
Senate Sponsor: Brady Brammer
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill enacts provisions related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
enacts provisions related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); 
requires the Department of Workforce Services (department) to request a waiver from the 
federal government regarding the use of SNAP benefits for certain foods;
requires the department to: 
submit the waiver before July 1, 2025;
implement the waiver within a certain period of time upon approval of the waiver; and
if the waiver is denied, reapply until a waiver is approved; and
 has reporting requirements. 
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
ENACTS:
35A-17-101
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
35A-17-102
, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1, Section 
35A-17-101
 is enacted to read:
1. SNAP Benefits Waiver
35A-17-101
. Definitions.
As used in this section:
(1)
"SNAP" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C. 
Chapter 51.
(2)
"SNAP benefit" means a financial benefit, coupon, or privilege available under SNAP.
(3)
(a)
"Soft drink" means a nonalcoholic beverage that is made with carbonated water 
and that is flavored and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.
(b)
"Soft drink" does not include a beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, 
or other milk substitutes, or that is greater than 50% vegetable or fruit juice by 
volume.
Section 2, Section 
35A-17-102
 is enacted to read:
35A-17-102
. SNAP waiver request -- Requirements -- Reporting.
(1)
(a)
On or before July 1, 2025, the department shall submit a request for a federal 
waiver to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 
to authorize the department to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of 
soft drinks.
(b)
The waiver request described in Subsection 
(1)
(a) shall include:
(i)
 justification for the waiver, including:
(A)
public health concerns;
(B)
SNAP's statutory intent; and
(C)
cost savings to taxpayers;
(ii)
an implementation plan to ensure that existing point-of-sale systems used by Utah 
retailers are able to enforce the waiver restrictions;
(iii)
a strategy for education and outreach to inform SNAP recipients of alternative 
healthy food options; and
(iv)
a mechanism to track the impact of the waiver restrictions on SNAP recipients, 
including:
(A)
spending patterns; and
(B)
health outcomes.
(2)
(a)
If the waiver under Subsection 
(1)
 is approved by Food and Nutrition Services, 
the department shall implement the SNAP benefits restriction under Subsection 
(1)
no later than six months after the day on which the waiver is granted.
(b)
If the waiver under Subsection 
(1)
 is denied, the department shall:
(i)
resubmit the request for a waiver no later than three months after the day on which 
the waiver is denied; and
(ii)
resubmit the request annually until a waiver approval is granted.
(3)
(a)
On or before November 1 of each year, the department shall provide a written 
report to the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee 
detailing:
(i)
the status of the waiver request;
(ii)
data on SNAP spending patterns in Utah;
(iii)
any identified challenges with SNAP; and
(iv)
any recommendations for further policy action.
(b)
The report described in Subsection 
(3)(a)
 shall be included in the department's 
annual report in accordance with Section 
35A-1-109
.
Section 3. 
Effective Date.
This bill takes effect on 
May 7, 2025
.
3-6-25 1:33 PM