The bill, H.B. No. 5243, aims to amend the Human Resources Code by adding Section 33.031, which prohibits recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from using their benefits to purchase certain food and drink items. Specifically, the bill defines and restricts the purchase of energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated beverages, candy, potato or corn chips, and cookies that are ordinarily packaged for consumption without further preparation. The bill also provides definitions for terms such as "energy drink," "milk product," and "sweetened beverage" to clarify what items fall under these restrictions.

However, the bill includes exceptions to these prohibitions, allowing the purchase of specific items such as milk products, milk substitutes, certain low-calorie beverages, infant formula, and beverages intended for weight reduction, among others. The bill stipulates that if a state agency determines that a federal waiver or authorization is necessary for implementing any provision, the agency may delay implementation until such approval is granted. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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