SNAP Fraud Prevention Act of 2013
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (4 Feb 2013): Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Nutrition.
What this bill does
H.R. 228, the SNAP Fraud Prevention Act of 2013, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008's definition of "food" for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, it would exclude from that definition any bottle or can deposit fee that exceeds the amount a state reimburses when the container is returned, regardless of whether that fee is listed separately or built into the shelf price. In effect, this would prevent SNAP recipients from receiving cash payments for returning empty bottles and cans that contained food or beverages purchased with SNAP benefits, beyond whatever amount the state itself reimburses.
The bill would primarily affect SNAP recipients who purchase beverages in returnable containers, as well as retailers and state agencies administering container-deposit and SNAP reimbursement systems. Its stated purpose is to reduce a potential avenue for turning SNAP benefits into cash, which is not permitted under program rules.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) on January 14, 2013, in the 113th Congress and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further; under congressional rules, it expired at the end of that Congress. If it had been enacted, its provisions would have taken effect 180 days after enactment.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
SNAP Fraud Prevention Act of 2013 - Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to prohibit the payment of a deposit fee in excess of any state fee reimbursement to recipients of supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) for the return of empty bottles and cans used to contain food purchased with SNAP benefits.
Timeline
4 Feb 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Nutrition.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 228 do?
- H.R. 228, the SNAP Fraud Prevention Act of 2013, would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008's definition of "food" for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, it would exclude from that definition any bottle or can deposit fee that exceeds the amount a state reimburses when the container is returned, regardless of whether that fee is listed separately or built into the shelf price. In effect, this would prevent SNAP recipients from receiving cash payments for returning empty bottles and cans that contained food or beverages purchased with SNAP benefits, beyond whatever amount the state itself reimburses. The bill would primarily affect SNAP recipients who purchase beverages in returnable containers, as well as retailers and state agencies administering container-deposit and SNAP reimbursement systems. Its stated purpose is to reduce a potential avenue for turning SNAP benefits into cash, which is not permitted under program rules. The bill was introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) on January 14, 2013, in the 113th Congress and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further; under congressional rules, it expired at the end of that Congress. If it had been enacted, its provisions would have taken effect 180 days after enactment.
- Has H.R. 228 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 228. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 228?
- H.R. 228 was sponsored by Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6] (R-MO), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 228?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Nutrition. (4 Feb 2013).
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