HR272: HR272 Congress; U.S.D.A. modify eligibility requirements for SNAP Program; adopt legislation

25 LC 61 0058 House Resolution 272 By: Representatives Glaize of the 67th, Dickey of the 134th, Townsend of the 179th, Paris of the 142nd, Campbell of the 35th, and others A RESOLUTION Encouraging the United States Congress to adopt legislation req uiring the United States1 Department of Agriculture to modify eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition2 Assistance Program (SNAP) for students enrolled in institutions of higher education; and for3 other purposes.4 WHEREAS, under existing federal regulations, students enrolled in institutions of higher5 education are ineligible for SNAP benefits unless they qualify for certain exemptions; and6 WHEREAS, one such exemption is that a student must be employed for at least 20 hours per7 week and paid for such employment; and8 WHEREAS, many students are often involved in unpaid work and other activities that are9 similar to employment; and10 WHEREAS, students engaged in such unpaid work and other activit ies are meaningfully11 contributing to their campus communities and should have the sa me eligibility for SNAP12 benefits as students engaged in paid employment.13 H. R. 272 - 1 - 25 LC 61 0058 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that14 the members of this body encourage the United States Congress to adopt legislation requiring15 the United States Department of Agriculture to modify SNAP eligibility criteria for students16 so that the following would count toward the employment exemption, regardless of whether17 a student was paid:18 (1) Work done as part of a research assistantship;19 (2) Work done by teaching assistants;20 (3) Work with student organizations, including work done by off icers of such21 organizations;22 (4) Volunteer and community service hours; and23 (5) Work done by student ambassadors.24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized25 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the26 United States Congress.27 H. R. 272 - 2 -