Bill Text: IL HB4756 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Creates the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act. Provides that out of funds appropriated to the Department of Human Services for the LINK program, the Department, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, shall use whatever monies are necessary to implement the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program to assist nontraditional fresh food markets, such as farmers' markets, Green Carts, market boxes, farm stands and mobile farm stands, produce stands, and other open-air markets, to develop the capability to accept wireless electronic payment cards, including electronic benefits transfer cards or LINK cards, and maintain the equipment usage. Provides that the purpose of the program is to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other LINK eligible food products, including quality meat and dairy, for all Illinois residents by allowing LINK program participants to redeem their SNAP benefits at nontraditional fresh food markets. Requires grant funding to be used for one or more specified purposes including the purchase or rental of wireless point of sale terminals capable of processing SNAP benefits disbursed under the LINK program. Effective July 1, 2010.

Sponsorship: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 26-2)

Status: (Passed) 2010-07-19 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 96-1088 [HB4756 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-HB4756-Enrolled.html

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AN ACT concerning public aid.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act.
Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
"Farmers' market" means a nontraditional fresh food
market, licensed by the United States Department of
Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP
benefits, where farmers or growers sell a variety of fresh
fruits and vegetables and other locally-grown farm products
directly to consumers.
"LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card
issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of
enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as
food stamps) benefits or cash.
Section 10. Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Program.
(a) The Department of Human Services and the Department of
Agriculture shall implement a Farmers' Market Technology
Improvement Program. The purpose of this program is to increase
access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other LINK eligible

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food products, including quality meat and dairy, for all
Illinois residents by allowing LINK program participants to
redeem their SNAP benefits at farmers' markets. The Department
of Human Services and the Department of Agriculture shall
solicit federal and State funding for the purpose of
implementing this program.
(b) The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Fund is
created as a special fund in the State Treasury for the purpose
of implementing the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Program. All monies received pursuant to this Act shall be
deposited into the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Fund. Funding for the program must be used for one or more of
the following purposes:
(1) The purchase or rental of wireless point of sale
terminals capable of processing SNAP benefits disbursed
under the LINK program.
(2) Monthly or transaction fees associated with LINK
card transactions. No fees related to credit or debit
transactions will be reimbursed.
(3) Outreach to LINK program participants.
Section 15. Implementation of regulations. The Department
of Human Services shall adopt necessary rules and shall
implement the program by March 31, 2011.
Section 20. The State Finance Act is amended by adding

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Section 5.755 as follows:
(30 ILCS 105/5.755 new)
Sec. 5.755. The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Fund.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,