Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  "A new section is added to chapter 74.04 RCW to read as follows:

The department must develop options for extending the duration of distribution of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits beyond the current duration of the first ten days of the month. The department must recommend a preferred option that minimizes the costs to implement the changes, minimizes the disruption for existing families receiving SNAP benefits, and increases the duration of distribution as close to the first twenty days as feasible. The department must submit a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature describing the options and recommendation on or before October 1, 2016. The department may implement the recommended option at the earliest feasible date if it can do so within current appropriations. If additional funding is required to implement the recommended option, the department must submit a budget request to the office of financial management as part of the 2017 supplemental budget request or as part of the 2017-2019 biennial budget request."

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "benefits;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and adding a new section to chapter 74.04 RCW."

EFFECT: Eliminates the requirement to extend the distribution of SNAP benefits to the first 20 days of the month and instead requires the department to recommend an option to extend distribution of SNAP benefits that minimizes state costs and disruption for recipients. The department may implement the recommended option if it can do so within appropriated funds.