Bill Text: TX SB273 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to annually adjusting for inflation the maximum amount of a motor vehicle excluded in determining eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-08 - Co-author authorized [SB273 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB273-Introduced.html

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88R2490 SCP-F
By: Blanco S.B. No. 273

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to annually adjusting for inflation the maximum amount of
a motor vehicle excluded in determining eligibility for the
supplemental nutrition assistance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 33.0215 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0215. ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE
VALUE EXCLUDED IN DETERMINING SNAP ELIGIBILITY. (a) The executive
commissioner by rule shall adjust for inflation in the manner
specified by Subsection (b) the maximum amount of the fair market
value of a motor vehicle that may be excluded from the resources of
an applicant's household for purposes of determining the
applicant's eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits, including eligibility determined in accordance
with 7 C.F.R. Section 273.2(j).
(b) Not later than October 1 of each year, the maximum
amount of the fair market value of a motor vehicle described by
Subsection (a) that may be excluded from an applicant's resources
must be increased or decreased to reflect the percentage difference
between:
(1) the average index level set by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics; and
(2) the new vehicles index of the Consumer Price Index
for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
or its successor index during the most recent 12-month period
ending in June.
(c) In calculating the maximum amount of the fair market
value of a motor vehicle described by Subsection (a) that may be
excluded and notwithstanding Subsection (b), the commission shall
ensure that the maximum excluded amounts of the first household
vehicle and each additional household vehicle remain proportionate
to each other in the same proportion as the excluded amounts for
those vehicles in effect on August 31, 2021.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to an
initial determination or recertification of eligibility of a person
for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33,
Human Resources Code, that is made on or after the effective date of
this Act.
SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.