To Direct The Department Of Human Services To Request A Broad-based Categorical Eligibility Waiver For The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; And To Amend The Asset Limits Under The Program.
Summary
HB1915 would change Arkansas law governing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility by directing the Department of Human Services to request a broad-based categorical eligibility waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill is aimed at allowing Arkansas to exempt SNAP applicants and enrollees from the federal resource limit, while still operating under state-set asset rules tied to the waiver.
If the waiver is obtained, the bill sets the SNAP asset limit at $6,000 and requires that amount to be automatically adjusted for inflation every two years. It also creates a temporary increase mechanism for households that exceed the federal resource limit, allowing DHS to grant a one-year increase to a department-set amount, with the bill specifying $5,500 as the temporary limit and limiting households to one such increase every five years. The bill also preserves a restriction on using categorical eligibility to bypass gross income standards unless the waiver is in place.
Impact
HB1915 would amend Arkansas Code § 20-76-115 and directly affect DHS administration of SNAP by changing how the state may use categorical eligibility and resource limits. The bill would require DHS to seek federal approval for a broad-based categorical eligibility waiver, establish a state asset limit of $6,000 once approved, and add an inflation adjustment every biennium. It would also create a temporary hardship-style asset exception for certain households, affecting SNAP applicants and current enrollees who have countable assets above the federal threshold.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill had majority support on the House floor, passing third reading 58-27. That margin indicates generally favorable sentiment among supporters, likely centered on giving DHS more flexibility and updating asset rules. No committee transcript is available, so the detailed discussion is not known, but the floor vote shows the measure was not unanimous and drew meaningful opposition.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be whether Arkansas should seek a broad-based categorical eligibility waiver and how much flexibility the state should have in setting SNAP asset limits. Supporters likely view the bill as a way to modernize eligibility rules, align limits with inflation, and reduce administrative barriers for low-income households. Opponents likely object to loosening or restructuring resource standards for a federal nutrition program, or to the state’s role in requesting a waiver that could expand eligibility. The 58-27 vote suggests the bill was politically divisive, even though it ultimately advanced.