SNAP

2025-2026 Bill 4643: SNAP - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Download
This Bill
in Microsoft Word Format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
H. 4643
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Pope, Chumley, Edgerton, Chapman and White
Document Path: LC-0318VR26.docx
Introduced in the House on January 13, 2026
Currently residing in the House
Summary: SNAP
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

12/16/2025

House

Prefiled

12/16/2025

House

Referred to Committee on
Ways and Means

1/13/2026

House

Introduced and read first time (
House Journal-page 44
)

1/13/2026

House

Referred to Committee on
Ways and Means
(
House Journal-page 44
)

1/20/2026

House

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: White

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
12/17/2025

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH
CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA SNAP NUTRITION INTEGRITY
ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 5, TITLE 43 SO AS TO REQUIRE THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO APPLY FOR A FEDERAL WAIVER TO ALLOW THE STATE
TO PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE OF CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS WITH SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND REPORTING BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES RELATED TO APPLICATION FOR AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE WAIVER; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

B
e it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

S
ECTION 1.
This act may be cited as the "South Carolina SNAP Nutrition Integrity
Act."

S
ECTION 2.
C
hapter 5, Title 43 of the S.C. Code is amended by
adding:

A
rticle 11

S
outh Carolina SNAP Nutrition Integrity

S
ection
43-5-1410
.
F
or purposes of this article:

(
1)
"Candy" means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial
sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruit, nuts, or other ingredients or
flavorings in the form of bars, drops, or pieces, that does not require
refrigeration.

(
2) "Department"
means the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

(
3) "Soft
drink" means a nonalcoholic beverage made with carbonated water and flavored
and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners but does not include a
beverage that contains milk; milk products; soy, rice, or other milk
substitutes; or more than fifty percent vegetable or fruit juice by volume.

(
4)
"SNAP" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C.
Chapter 51.

(
5)
"SNAP benefit" means any financial benefit, coupon, or privilege available
under SNAP.

(
6)
"USDA FNS" means the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and
Nutrition Service.

S
ection
43-5-1420
.
(
A) The South Carolina
Department of Social Services shall submit a request for a federal waiver to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, to authorize
the department to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for the purchase of candy
and soft drinks.

(
B)
The waiver request pursuant to subsection (A) must include:

(
1)
justification for the waiver, including:

(
a)
public health concerns related to excessive sugar consumption and diet-related
diseases;

(
b)
SNAP's statutory intent to promote food security and nutrition; and

(
c)
cost savings to taxpayers by reducing Medicaid expenditures related to
diet-induced conditions;

(
2)
an implementation plan ensuring that existing point-of-sale systems used by
South Carolina retailers can enforce the restrictions;

(
3)
a strategy for education and outreach utilizing existing programs such as the
USDA FNS's SNAP-Ed Connection program to inform SNAP recipients of alternative
healthy food options; and

(
4)
a mechanism to track the impact of the waiver restrictions on SNAP recipients,
including spending patterns postimplementation and health outcomes, particularly
Medicaid trends for diet-related illnesses.

S
ection
43-5-1430
.
(
A) If the waiver
pursuant to Section
43-5-1420
(A) is approved by the USDA FNS, the department
shall implement the SNAP benefits restriction within six months from the date
of approval.

(
B)
If the waiver under Section
43-5-1420
(A) is denied, the department shall:

(
1)
resubmit the waiver request no later than three months from the date of denial;
and

(
2)
continue resubmitting the request annually until approval is granted.

(
C)
The department shall work with SNAP-authorized retailers to ensure compliance
by updating point-of-sale systems to prevent the purchase of restricted items
using SNAP benefits.

S
ection
43-5-1440
.
(
A) On or before
November first each year, the department shall submit a written report to the
General Assembly, which includes the following:

(
1)
the status of the waiver request, including whether it is pending, approved, or
denied;

(
2)
data on SNAP spending trends in South Carolina, including any reductions in
soda and candy purchases;

(
3)
identified challenges in implementing the restriction, including feedback from
retailers and program participants; and

(
4)
recommendations for further policy action related to SNAP nutrition standards.

(
B)
The annual report pursuant to subsection (A) also must be included in the
department's annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly, as
required pursuant to Section
43-1-210
.

S
ECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval
by the Governor.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 2:43 PM