Lois Kolkhorst, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, said that the American Heart Association's opposition to SB 379 was the biggest surprise of the legislative session so far. The hearing took place on March 11.
"I often say that I can never be surprised in this building, but for the American Heart Association to be against this bill, that might be the surprise of the session so far," said Kolkhorst, Senator.
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services conducted a public hearing on SB 379, introduced by Senator Mayes Middleton. The bill aims to prohibit the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing certain junk foods and sweetened drinks.
During his presentation of the bill to the committee, Middleton referred to data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), saying that SNAP's purpose is to provide nutritious food essential to Americans' health and well-being. "Soda, energy drinks, candy, cookies, potato chips, corn chips are not nutritious, nor are they essential to health or well-being," said Middleton in his testimony.
According to USDA statistics cited during the hearing, up to 20% of SNAP benefits are spent on foods targeted by this legislation, including sodas, sugary drinks, candy, desserts, snacks like potato chips, and sugar. Of that percentage, 9% of SNAP benefits are specifically used for sweetened beverages.
In his testimony before the committee, Alec Puente, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association (AHA), expressed opposition to the bill. While sharing the goal of improving Texans' health, he voiced concerns that these restrictions would not enhance diets but could exacerbate hunger in Texas. Instead, Puente recommended increasing SNAP benefits for each recipient.
Senator Lois Kolkhorst has represented Senate District 18 since 2014 and previously served seven terms in the Texas House of Representatives. As chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, she has announced her support for the Make Texas Healthy Again legislative agenda which includes SB 379.
