129th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 752		LR 1740(01)
	An Act To Reduce Food Insecurity and Promote Economic Growth
	Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement for Original Bill
	Sponsor: Rep. Fecteau of Biddeford
	Committee: Health and Human Services
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement
Contingent Current biennium cost increase - Federal Expenditures Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to seek a waiver to allow individuals otherwise subject to a 3-month limit on federal food supplement program benefits to continue to receive benefits if those individuals reside in areas that lack a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for those individuals. It also directs the DHHS to request a waiver from the asset test for determining the eligibility for the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program of any household in which there is an individual who is 60 years of age or older or an individual with a disability or that does not include children. Finally, it requires the Department of Health and Human Services to calculate the amount of the food stamp standard utility allowance using reliable data reflecting actual utility costs in Maine. If the waivers are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, there is no impact to the state for changes in the level of federal benefits issued, as these benefits are funded by the federal government directly to beneficiaries. The impact to the Department of Health and Human Services from the state funded benefits and for system changes resulting from the bill are expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.