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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to social services
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Ordered to third reading cal.1245
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to social services
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to distribution of federal bonus awards relative to food stamp programs to local social services districts
In Assembly Committee · Social Services · Sponsor Vito Lopez
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7941
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to distribution of federal bonus awards relative to food stamp programs to local social services districts
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would add a new subdivision 12 to Section 95 of the Social Services Law to allow the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to restrict the use or retain 5% of the total award of any federal Food Stamp bonuses when distributing such bonuses to local social services district It would permit OTDA to retain or place restrictions on more than 5% of the funds, if it consults with local social services districts in determining the use of funds. Further, the distribution formula used to distribute the remaining funds to local social services districts would be based on each local district's contribution towards acquiring the bonus. These funds could be spent by the local district for any food and nutrition purpose consistent with the districts legal authority.
Justification
Currently, the state has the discretion to determine how Federal Food Stamp bonus awards are allocated to local districts. Although the state has historically passed on a majority of bonus money to local districts to used at their own discretion, it has recently changed its practice. In order for a local district to receive any of the most recent bonus money awarded to the state, each local district is required to file a plan for the use of the funds with Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). OTDA offers guidance on appropriate, recommended uses of the funds, and discretion on how to file a "Plan for Use" application. The latest federal bonus equaled $(.8 million of which $7 Million is identified for distribution to the localities that submit a "Plan of Use." Basically, OTDA is determining the use of the entire bonus amount that came to the state even though the bonus was awarded due to the efforts of local districts.
Strong performance in various areas of program implementation and development by local social services districts contribute to the state's overall success in the food stamp program. Local social services districts should therefore receive a proportionate amount of and federal Food stamp bonuses awarded based on their individual contributions.
Fiscal implications
None, the state was planning on awarding the bonuses anyway.
Effective date
This ACT shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.