Committee advances measure asking DHS to seek USDA waiver affecting SNAP eligibility and dependent care payments

Senate Bill 64 directs the Department of Human Services to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prevent monthly advanced payments of the dependent care tax credit from affecting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility calculations. The bill also requires DHS to report annually to the Legislature on the status of the waiver request.

Committee staff summarized the measure for members on May 1 and said there is no revenue or fiscal impact. Vice Chair Scharf moved the bill to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation; members discussed procedural questions about whether previous administrations’ waiver requests would preclude asking again, and committee counsel clarified that waiver requests are per administration and can be asked again.

A roll call was held and the motion passed; Representative Jevity agreed to be the bill carrier. Committee members noted the Department of Revenue’s presence for questions but did not record further substantive amendments in the transcript excerpt.