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Synopsis As Introduced Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that every electronic benefits transfer ("LINK") card issued on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling the cardholder to obtain food stamp benefits or cash must include on the card's face a photograph of the cardholder. Provides that within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act, the Department shall replace every still-valid card issued before that date with a card that includes on its face a photograph of the cardholder.
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Secretary of Human Services to seek a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to allow the State to include on the face of every LINK card issued to a recipient of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) or cash assistance under the Code a photo of the cardholder. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide the Illinois General Assembly with various good faith cost estimates including the estimated cost of replacing every still-valid LINK card with a card that contains on its face a photo of the cardholder and the estimated cost of "phasing-in" new photo identification cards issued under the current contract with the current LINK card vendor. Provides that the Department shall suggest a process to the Illinois General Assembly that allows the caregiver of a recipient of SNAP benefits or cash assistance under this Code to use the recipient's LINK card on the recipient's behalf. Provides that the Illinois General Assembly shall through legislation determine whether it wishes to implement the wavier based on projected cost estimates and other matters.
Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation)
No land conveyances are included in this bill.
State Debt Impact Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
HB 161 (H-AM 1) would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness.
HB 161(H-AM 1) will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in Illinois.
Balanced Budget Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Office of Management and Budget)
This legislation will have a minimal fiscal impact on the State budget.
Fiscal Note (Dept. of Human Services)
There will be a substantial cost to this legislation. All Link cards must have photos within a short period. The DHS Family & Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) would need to issue the cards with the photos, and the Link contractor agree to discontinue mailing cards, for which they are reimbursed. Since about two-thirds of the approximately 60,000 monthly cards are mailed, this would place a major burden on the FCRCs and result in new costs for staff and equipment. Additional equipment would have to be installed in each local field office, including camera, software, and printers; other incurred costs would be for the cards themselves, system changes, and changes with the contractor. The card production and equipment would cost in the range of $2 to $4 million, plus recurring expenditures. Additional staff and resources would also be needed to issue the cards at the FCRCs.
Home Rule Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity)
HB 161 (H-AM 1) does not pre-empt home rule authority.
State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity)
HB 161 (H-AM 1) does not create a State mandate.
Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Housing Development Authority)
This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence.
Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority)
This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence.
Judicial Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts)
Would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the state.
Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Human Services)
HB 161 (H-AM 1) has an estimated minimal fiscal impact to the Department of Human Services.
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