Texas Bill Would Ban Food Stamp Use on Junk Food, Soda, Energy Drinks

Beverages are displayed at a demonstration against a proposed sugary drinks tax Wednesday, May 4, 2016, outside City Hall in Philadelphia. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has contributed an undisclosed sum to a nonprofit group starting an $825,000 ad campaign in support of a three-cents-per-ounce tax on soda and other sugary drinks. The American Beverage Association has already spent more than $1.5 million on an anti-tax campaign. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

A bill making its way through the Texas legislature would permit food stamp recipients from using their benefits on certain foods, News 4 San Antonio reported.

State Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Baytown, proposed a rule that would ban food stamp use on energy drinks and any beverages containing at least 54 milligrams of caffeine per 8 fluid ounces. Coffee is exempt from this list.

The proposal, H.B. No. 4364, would also ban people from using food stamps to buy some potato or corn chips, cookies and candies.

Households would still be able to use SNAP benefits on fruit and vegetable juices.

To read the bill in its entirety, click here.