
Gov. Reynolds Enacts Legislation Altering SNAP Benefit Criteria
- foodfightadmin
- June 2, 2023
- SNAP, State
- ads pages
- 0 Comments
In a flurry of activity, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds concluded the 2023 legislative session by signing a total of 65 bills into law on Thursday afternoon. Not only did Reynolds sign these bills, she also exercised her line item veto power on one bill and vetoed another entirely.
The signing of these bills represents a significant milestone for Iowa Republicans, marking the culmination of a productive year. Among notable laws already enacted from the 2023 session are Reynolds‘ private school scholarship program, a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and changes to Iowa’s child labor laws regarding hours and permitted fields.
Prior to Thursday, many high-profile bills still awaited the governor’s signature. These included budget bills that allocate over $8.5 billion of state spending, as well as government reorganization changes approved through Reynolds‘ agency restructuring law signed in April.
In her veto actions, Governor Reynolds rejected Senate File 388, which aimed to clarify the Office of Chief Information Officer‘s obligation to follow federal guidance when allocating federal funds. Reynolds expressed her opposition to the bill, citing concerns about lower standards set by the federal government and the restriction of flexibility in adhering to higher-speed standards at the state level when using federal funds for rural broadband infrastructure.
Reynolds exercised her line item veto power on Section 8 of Senate File 563, the judicial branch spending bill. This provision required courts to obtain the consent of non-contract attorneys before appointing them to represent indigent individuals in court. The governor’s veto was motivated by the potential consequence of leaving indigent individuals without legal representation.
Among the bills signed into law on Thursday, several high-profile measures stood out. One such measure was Senate File 478, which limits the access of Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand to certain information during investigations. Sand argued the law jeopardizes the state’s bond rating and billions in federal aid. Another was House File 716, which requires Iowa’s political parties to hold in-person caucuses for the presidential nominating process, aiming to preserve Iowa’s first-in-the-nation position.
Furthermore, Senate File 494 imposes new asset and income requirements on Iowans seeking public assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The law establishes an asset limit of $15,000 for SNAP eligibility, excluding the value of cars, homes, and a portion of the value of a second household car. The legislation also introduces income restrictions and mandates regular identity verification for recipients of public assistance programs.
While Governor Reynolds approved these new requirements and limits on public assistance programs, she also allocated $5 million toward food banks and pantry networks in Iowa to support those in need.
The multitude of bills signed into law on Thursday include:
- SF 478: Relating to the operation of state government, audits, and information access.
- HF 466: Relating to televised testimony in involuntary commitment hearings.
- HF 564: Relating to access to criminal history data in child in need of assistance proceedings.
- HF 216: Relating to paternity in certain actions before the juvenile court.
- HF 398: Relating to adoption proceedings and representation of adoptive parents.
- HF 400: Relating to the vacation of certain termination of parental rights orders.
- HF 655: Relating to business organizations, including limited liability companies.
- HF 432: Relating to access to specific records and documents maintained by a unit owners association.
- HF 232: Relating to probate proceedings, fiduciary duties, and trustee obligations.
- HF 648: Relating to the expungement of information regarding investment advisers.
- HF 359: Relating to the requirements for direct disposition of a decedent’s remains.
- SF 223: Relating to municipal health insurance coverage for certain individuals.
- SF 563: Relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch.
- SF 563 (Line-item veto of Section 8): Relating to the appointment of counsel for indigent persons.
- And many more.
Governor Reynolds‘ actions signify the conclusion of the 2023 legislative session in Iowa, highlighting the accomplishments and priorities of the Republican-led government.