HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2692

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically.

Brief Description:  Clarifying references to food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically.

Sponsors:  Representatives Clements, H. Sommers, Tokuda and Cooke; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Children & Family Services:  1/27/98, 1/29/98 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/10/98, 96-0.

Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Cooke, Chairman; Boldt, Vice Chairman; Bush, Vice Chairman; Tokuda, Ranking Minority Member; Kastama, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson; Gombosky; McDonald and Wolfe.

Staff:  David Knutson (786-7146).

Background:  Federal law requires each state to have an electronic benefit system in place for food stamps by October 1, 2002.

Summary of Bill:  State statutes relating to food stamp program are modified to include a reference to food stamp benefits that are transferred electronically.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:   This is a technical change necessary to update statutory references to the food stamp program.

Testimony Against:   None.

Testified:  John Bumford, Division of Fraud Investigation, DSHS (supports).