ATLANTA — State Representative Ed Rynders (R-Albany) today announced that he is cosponsoring House Bill 138. Originally introduced by Rep. Andy Welch (R-McDonough), HB 138 would place congressionally mandated restrictions on the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that are provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
“HB 138 is about prioritizing the use of taxpayer funds,” said Rep. Rynders. “Basic human needs should always come first, but taxpayers should not foot the bill for alcohol, strip clubs, and tattoos.”
HB 138 would prevent TANF recipients from using the benefit cards at certain retail establishments, including liquor stores and adult entertainment establishments. This legislation would also prevent TANF recipients from using their EBT cards to withdraw cash from an ATM or a retail establishment.
In addition to limiting where EBT cards may be used, HB 138 also limits what an EBT card may be used to purchase. The legislation would prohibit EBT cards from being used to purchase lottery tickets, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, pornographic materials, firearms and ammunition, vacation services, tattoos or body piercings, jewelry, salon services, gambling, and gift cards. HB 138 would also prohibit using an EBT card to pay fines, fees, bail, or bail bonds to any government entity.
HB 138 also requires the Georgia Department of Human Services (GDHS) to establish a toll-free phone number and a website for reporting violations of these provisions. The toll-free phone number and website would have to be operational by December 1, 2013. Retail establishments that accept TANF payment would also be required to post a sign at each register listing all the products prohibited from being purchased with EBT cards, along with the phone number and website for reporting violations. These establishments must also keep receipts of all purchases made with EBT cards for 180 days.
If enacted into law, any retail establishment found in violation of any part of HB 138 would be subject to penalties established by the GDHS, which may include fines or a suspension or prohibition from accepting TANF payments. The GDHS would also be empowered to reduce TANF benefits by 25 percent to any recipient who violates this legislation for the first time and to terminate benefits upon a recipient’s second violation within a time period to be determined by the GDHS.
Finally, this legislation requires the GDHS to take necessary steps to establish and enforce policies aimed at preventing improper use of EBT cards.
TANF is a federal block grant program that allows states to provide cash assistance through the issuance of EBT cards to qualifying low income families with children. The program was created by the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act in 1996 to provide temporary financial assistance and help beneficiaries find employment. Congress attempted to prevent abuse of the program by approving the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. This federal legislation requires states with TANF programs to establish policies and procedures that prohibit the use of benefit cards at certain establishments and for certain purposes. It also penalizes states that do not comply with the Act. HB 138 was introduced to bring Georgia into compliance with this federal statute.
Representative Ed Rynders represents the citizens of District 152, which includes portions of Lee, Sumter, and Worth Counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and is currently the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government, and the Secretary of the Health & Human Services and Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment committees. He also serves on the Intragovernmental Coordination and Transportation committees.
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