HB3340 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 08105 KTG 28252 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB3340

Introduced , by Rep. Michael W. Tryon

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the State Finance Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Healthy Local Food Incentives Program to double the purchasing power of Illinois residents with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Creates the Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund as a special fund in the State treasury for the purpose of implementing the Program. Provides that subject to appropriations, the Department shall make an annual grant of $1,000,000 from the Fund to a qualified Illinois non-profit organization or agency, which shall be distributed to participating Illinois farmers markets for the purpose of providing matching dollar incentives (up to a specified amount) for the dollar value of SNAP or WIC benefits spent on SNAP or WIC eligible food products at participating Illinois farmers markets and producer-to-consumer venues. Provides that the qualified non-profit organization shall have a demonstrated track record of (i) building a statewide network; (ii) designing and implementing successful healthy food incentive programs that connect SNAP recipients with local producers; (iii) implementing funds distribution and reporting processes; and other requirements. Provides that at least 60% of the monies deposited into the Fund shall be distributed to participating Illinois farmers markets for healthy local food incentives and program implementation; and that a maximum of 40% of the monies deposited into the Fund shall be used for statewide program development and other purposes. Requires the non-profit organization or agency to submit a progress report to the Department with certain information, including the impact of the Program on increasing the quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed by SNAP and WIC families, as determined by customer surveys.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.866 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.866 new)

Sec. 5.866. The Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund.

Section 10. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 12-4.49 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/12-4.49 new)

Sec. 12-4.49. Healthy Local Food Incentives Program.

(a) Legislative findings. Diet and other lifestyle choices contribute to more than half of all deaths in Illinois. Health risk factors include smoking, obesity, stress, nutrition, high blood pressure, and alcohol and drug use. Illinois residents should be encouraged to adopt diets and lifestyles that lead to wellness. The State can help provide that encouragement by funding wellness programs that enhance the health of Illinois residents. Healthy local food incentives, which are currently provided under the Double Value Coupon incentive programs funded by LINK Up Illinois, encourage wellness among some of the most vulnerable residents of Illinois (those whose incomes are below the poverty line and who often have limited access to fresh, healthy, and affordable foods) by doubling the purchasing power of LINK cardholders at farmers markets across the State. The benefits of such a program include: an increase in population health, Medicaid health care cost savings, decreased incidence of preventable diseases, increased revenue for Illinois small farmers, and economic stimulus for the region.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP benefits or cash.

"SNAP" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

"WIC" means the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children created by federal Public Law 92-433.

(c) The Department of Human Services shall establish a Healthy Local Food Incentives Program to double the purchasing power of Illinois residents with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury for the purpose of implementing the Healthy Local Food Incentives Program. All monies received pursuant to this Section shall be deposited into the Healthy Local Food Incentives Fund.

(d) Subject to appropriations, the Department of Human Services shall make an annual grant of $1,000,000 from the Fund to a qualified Illinois non-profit organization or agency, which shall be distributed to participating Illinois farmers markets for the purpose of providing matching dollar incentives (up to a specified amount) for the dollar value of SNAP or WIC benefits spent on SNAP or WIC eligible food products at participating Illinois farmers markets and producer-to-consumer venues.

(e) The designated qualified non-profit organization or agency shall have a demonstrated track record of:

(1) building a statewide network;

(2) designing and implementing successful healthy food incentive programs that connect SNAP recipients with local producers;

(3) implementing funds distribution and reporting processes;

(4) providing training and technical assistance to farmers markets;

(5) conducting community outreach and data collection; and

(6) providing full accounting and administration of funds distributed to farmers markets.

(f) At least 60% of the monies deposited into the Fund shall be distributed to participating Illinois farmers markets for healthy local food incentives and program implementation. A maximum of 40% of the monies deposited into the Fund shall be used for statewide program development, promotion and outreach, farmers market training and capacity building, technical assistance, program data collection, evaluation, administration, and reporting.

(g) Within 90 days after the end of a grant cycle, the designated qualified non-profit organization or agency shall submit a progress report to the Department of Human Services. The progress report shall include the following information:

(1) the names and locations of Illinois farmers markets and direct producer-to-consumer venues that received funds distributed under the Program;

(2) the dollar amount of funds awarded to each participating Illinois farmers market and direct producer-to-consumer venue;

(3) the dollar amount of SNAP and WIC benefits, and funds provided under the Program, that were spent at Illinois farmers markets participating in the Program, as well as the dollar amount of any unspent funds available under the Program;

(4) the number of SNAP transactions carried out annually at participating Illinois farmers markets;

(5) the impact of the Program on increasing the quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables consumed by SNAP and WIC families, as determined by customer surveys.