This bill mandates the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to request a federal waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service to impose restrictions on the types of foods eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The goal of these restrictions is to enhance the nutritional quality of SNAP-eligible foods and improve program efficiency. The Department is required to submit the waiver request by the effective date of the act and, if denied, must modify and resubmit the request within 60 days until approval is obtained. The waiver request must include justifications related to public health, statutory intent, and taxpayer cost savings, as well as an implementation plan, education strategy for SNAP recipients, and a reporting mechanism to track the waiver's impact.
If the waiver is approved, the Department must implement the restrictions within six months. Additionally, the Department is required to submit an annual electronic report to key state leaders, including the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Governor, detailing the status of the waiver request, SNAP spending patterns, and any challenges or recommendations for future policy actions. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2026.