The bill, H.B. No. 5160, proposes amendments to the Human Resources Code regarding the eligibility criteria for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Texas. It introduces two new sections: Section 33.016, which establishes a 12-month eligibility period for individuals whose SNAP benefits have been initially established or recertified, and Section 33.0215, which mandates an annual inflation adjustment for resources excluded when determining SNAP eligibility. The bill allows the commission to adjust the eligibility period to align with the recertification of medical assistance benefits for children in the same household and outlines specific circumstances under which the 12-month eligibility does not apply.

Additionally, the bill requires the executive commissioner to adjust the maximum amount of excluded resources annually based on the Consumer Price Index, with the first adjustment reflecting changes since July 1, 2001, and set to expire on October 1, 2026. The changes will apply to any initial determination or recertification of eligibility made on or after the effective date of the Act, which is September 1, 2025. If a state agency finds that federal authorization is needed for implementation, it may delay the provision's implementation until such authorization is granted.

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