S.B. 949 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS - FOOD STAMPS: GAMBLING

FOOD STAMPS: GAMBLING - S.B. 949 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 949 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Social Welfare Act to prohibit a recipient who received cash payments instead of food stamps from using the money to participate in casino gambling. A recipient who violated the bill would forfeit his or her right to receive future cash payments in lieu of food stamps. Forfeiture of the right to receive future cash payments could be based on reasonable cause to believe that a violation occurred, or an affidavit asserting facts that provided reasonable cause to believe that a violation occurred.

The bill provides that each application for assistance would have to include a statement that identified the recipient's rights and obligations under the bill. Further, persons who were receiving assistance would have to be notified of their rights and obligations under the bill.

Proposed MCL 400.10c - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

There would be no fiscal impact on State government. To forfeit one's right to receive cash in lieu of food stamp coupons does not reduce or increase the value of the benefit; therefore, the forfeiture makes no change in the expenditures in the food stamp program. Furthermore, any change in expenditures would not have a fiscal impact on State government because it is a Federally funded program. There would be no fiscal impact on local government.

Date Completed: 3-9-98 - Fiscal Analyst: C. Cole

FLOOR\SB949 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.