Governor Kay Ivey signed into law legislation on Wednesday requiring the state to request a waiver from the federal government to eliminate candy and soda purchases from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The legislation, SB57, sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and State Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road), would require the Department of Human Resources to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to exclude candy and soda from the definition of eligible food for purposes of SNAP benefits.
Alabama joins 22 other states in requesting such a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“In December, I announced Alabama’s participation in a new Trump Administration program funded by the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ passed by Congress to expand rural healthcare delivery,” Ivey said. “Not wasting a moment, I worked with legislative leaders this session to remove legal barriers to ensure healthcare providers are able to work together to improve healthcare delivery in our rural areas. We have also freed first responders to deliver more life-saving services during ambulance calls, and we have joined other states in streamlining approval of out-of-state physician assistants to practice in Alabama. We are promoting healthier diets for Alabama SNAP beneficiaries by restricting the purchase of sugary foods that contribute to obesity and diabetes. These efforts along with several other pieces of legislation lay a solid foundation as we partner with the Trump Administration in improving rural healthcare delivery to better meet the needs of the public.”
Other health care bills signed into law by Ivey can be viewed here.
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