by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist
State Updates
Interim study season is finally upon us. Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton has approved 73 interim studies for consideration. The studies were assigned to relevant Senate committees, but no committee hearings have been scheduled yet. All approved Senate studies must be completed by October 31. Below is a list of hunger-related studies that have been requested in the Senate:
- SSP1001 | Senator Bergstrom: SNAP (food stamps) Review & Reform
- SSP1072 | Senator Pugh: School Nutrition
- SSP1076 | Senator Reinhardt: Healthy Meals for Kids
- SSP1082 | Senator Standridge: SNAP Programs and Healthy Options
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert approved or consolidated 152 house member requested studies. Approved hunger-related studies include:
- HSP1036 | Rep. Gise, Rep. Pae, Rep. Turner: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Oklahoma
- Combined with HSP1082 | Rep. Ford: SNAP program using Global Accountability Corp’s Technology.
- HSP1054 | Rep. Pae, Rep. Gise: HB1575 Implementation
- HSP1055 | Rep. Menz, Rep. Waldron, Rep. Pogemiller: Childhood Hunger
- HSP1105 | Rep. Pittman: Food Insecurity and Access: Mapping, Incentives, and Agricultural
If you’d like to view the details of the listed interim studies, please visit the following webpages:
House Interim Studies
Senate Interim Studies
Federal Updates
In Congress
House members have now adjourned for their August recess, and the Senate is expected to follow at the end of next week. This is a great time to start scheduling in-district meetings with your Members of Congress while they are at home (through September 2).
The Senate passed a bipartisan military construction and veteran funding legislation, and Politico reports that Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) is planning to use this bill as a vehicle for a “minibus,” adding agriculture and potentially other funding bills. The Senate Agriculture spending bill funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at a level expected to serve anticipated caseloads and fully funds the cash value benefit (CVB) that provides fruits and vegetables to WIC clients. The House funding bill slashes funding for both WIC and the CVB.
At the USDA
A federal judge denied a temporary restraining order to stop U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from collecting personal data on SNAP recipients, but the case is moving forward on an accelerated schedule. The plaintiffs, including SNAP recipients and advocacy groups, argue that USDA’s demand for tens of millions of records violates the Privacy Act and other federal protections. Although USDA temporarily paused its request earlier this year, the agency reinstated its plan to collect the data starting July 24. The court acknowledged serious concerns about the agency’s actions and signaled that USDA could face financial liability if it misuses the data. Advocates and legal groups continue to push for accountability and clear limits on how sensitive information is collected and used. The case raises urgent questions about data privacy for millions of Americans receiving nutrition assistance.
The USDA also recently issued a memorandum announcing major reorganization to its staff and departmental structure. Notably, the seven regions covered by the Food and Nutrition Service department (FNS) will be consolidated down to five regions over the next two years.
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