The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1475, aims to address food deserts and enhance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by establishing a Restaurant Meals Program. This program will allow eligible SNAP beneficiaries—defined as individuals aged sixty or older, disabled, homeless, or the spouses of eligible beneficiaries—to purchase meals at participating restaurants. The Commissioner of Social Services is tasked with developing a plan to participate in this program, which must include a variety of restaurant choices and healthy meal options. A report on this plan is required to be submitted to the relevant legislative committee by October 1, 2025, and a formal application for state participation must be filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by December 1, 2025.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Attorney General report annually on any price discrimination investigations against grocery stores, particularly in food deserts, starting October 1, 2025. This report will include information on federal investigations and recommendations for legislative action to protect consumers from price discrimination. The bill introduces new sections to the law without any deletions from existing statutes, emphasizing the importance of addressing food access and consumer protection in the state.