Said in CommitteeBeta

Exactly as spoken.

SB217

To Require the Department of Human Services to Request a Waiver to Exclude Candy and Soft Drinks from Eligible Foods Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

C. Penzo · 2025 Regular Session · Notification that SB217 is now Act 969 · Act 969

View official title

TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A WAIVER TO EXCLUDE CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS FROM ELIGIBLE FOODS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Log in to follow this bill and get alerts.

Said about this bill

18 mentions · 18 meetings · 5 named speakers

House Convenes

April 16, 2025 · on the agenda

Matched: “SB217 C. Penzo Bentley TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICE…”

Everyone voted Everyone voted Cast up the ballot. The vote of 24, 59 nays, and 8 present. The bill has failed. Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 217.
Representative Brian S. Evans · 2:37:31 in the video
Bill 217. Senate Bill 217 by Representative Bentley to require the Department of Human Services to request a waiver to exclude candy and soft drinks from eligible foods under Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Chair · 2:37:43 in the video
Would anyone like to speak against the bill? Before the bill, Representative Bentley is closed for the bill. The question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 217. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
Chair · 2:40:30 in the video
Agenda items (1)

House Convenes

April 15, 2025

Matched: “but 121 Senate, but 122 Senate Bill 217, Senate Bill 262, Senate Bill 347, Senate Bill 444, Senate…”

...lic health and labor to whom Who was referred Senate Bill 121, Senate Bill 122, Senate Bill 217, Senate Bill 262, Senate Bill 347, Senate Bill 444, Senate Bill 554, Senate Bill 585, Senate Bill 591, Senate Bill 601. Begley reporting the sam...
Chair · 12:05 in the video

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee- House

April 15, 2025 · Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) · on the agenda

Matched: “…NAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIANS. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Ayes have it. Senate Bill 217.
1:56:19 in the video
...ing improved levels of nutrition among the low-income households in our nation. SB 217 will help us get back to the original tent of this program. Surveys for the past decade have shown that soft drinks were the number one item purchased wi...
Representative R. Scott Richardson · 1:56:59 in the video
for Children and Families. I'm speaking against SB 217. We understand the goal of SB 217 is to encourage SNAP recipients to make healthier choices and then in turn have overall better long-term health outcomes by requesting the waiver to ex...
2:14:23 in the video
healthier food rather than restricting families choices please vote no on sb 217 thank you you.
2:17:21 in the video
Agenda items (1)

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee- House

April 10, 2025 · Public Health, Welfare & Labor Committee (House) · on the agenda

Matched: “SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Agenda items (1)

Senate Convenes

April 8, 2025 · on the agenda

Matched: “SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 217.
Chair · 1:11:54 in the video
drinks from eligible foods under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. In Penzo, you're recognized. You Madam President. Senate Bill 217
Chair · 1:12:12 in the video
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 217 requires DHS to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to exclude candy and soft drinks from the definition of eligible foods. If the requested waiver is granted, the purchase of...
Senator Clint Penzo · 1:12:15 in the video
... being responsible, and it's about making sure these programs do what they say they're going to do. We owe it to the families who rely on SNAP and the taxpayers who fund it to keep that purpose front and center. Senate Bill 217 accomplished
Senator Clint Penzo · 1:13:00 in the video
..., no. Any other senators? Please check the board. Seeing no other senator, please cast up the ballot by a vote of 29, yea, 4, nay, to present. Senate Bill 217 passes. Please transmit to the House. Senate Bill 255. Senate Bill 255 by Senator
Chair · 1:14:12 in the video
Agenda items (1)

Senate Convenes

April 3, 2025

Matched: “…Calendar. Committee on Public Health, to whom was referred, Senate Bill 217 by Senator Penzo, recommended due pass as amended No. 1. Ca…”

...s as amended No. 1. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, to whom was referred, Senate Bill 217 by Senator Penzo, recommended due pass as amended No. 1. Calendar. Committee on Public Health, to whom was referred, Senate Bill 262 by Senator ...
Chair (Senator Joshua Bryant) · 13:01 in the video

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

April 2, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House) · on the agenda

Matched: “SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

OK, this is Senate Bill 217. OK, so if you'll state your name for the record and your guest and you may proceedenzo District 31. Greg Fister with FGA Action. You have an amendment. Is that correct? OK, so let's go ahead and pass that amendm...
1:06:58 in the video
...post I have it and then it is adopted. Please proceed with your presentation of Senate Bill 217 as amended. Um, thank you, Madam Chair. Again, my name is Greg Fitra. I'm with FGA Action FJA Action is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organi...
1:08:40 in the video
reasons I ask you to support Senate Bill 217. Thank you again, Madam Chair, and I'm happy to stand for any questions. OK, are there questions for You, um, Any questions from members of the committee? seen none. Is there anyone here to speak...
1:11:15 in the video
Agenda items (1)

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

April 2, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House) · on the agenda

Matched: “…VIDE A CATEGORY FOR BENEFICIARIES WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Agenda items (1)

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

April 1, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House) · on the agenda

Matched: “…NAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIANS. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Agenda items (1)

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

March 19, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NATURAL MEDICINE. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

March 19, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NATURAL MEDICINE. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

March 17, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…ULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

March 12, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…REPEAL THE ARKANSAS PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ACT OF 1975. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

March 5, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…NAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIANS. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

March 5, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…NAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIANS. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

Feb. 26, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…NAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIANS. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate

Feb. 26, 2025 · Public Health Welfare & Labor Committee (Senate & House)

Matched: “…NAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIANS. SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”

Senate Convenes

Feb. 11, 2025

Matched: “…foods under the supplemental nutrition Assistance Program, Senate Bill 217. Public health announcements. Senator Dodson, you're recogn…”

drinks from eligible foods under the supplemental nutrition Assistance Program, Senate Bill 217. Public health announcements. Senator Dodson, you're recognized for an announcement. Thank you, Madam Governor. Members joint retirement will me...
51:16 in the video

Documents (13)

Official record

View official bill page ↗ ·View on Open States ↗