Bill To Ban Soft Drink Purchases With SNAP Passes Legislature

(Pierre, SD) — A bill to ban the purchase of soft drinks with SNAP benefits is up to the Governor. It passed through both the House and Senate on Thursday. Governor Larry Rhoden has said he is not sure if he will sign it or not. Rhoden has stated that he doesn’t disagree with anything in the bill but he believes its something the federal government should decide on. If it does pass, it would require the Department of Social Services to submit a federal waiver to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a request to exclude pop from its eligible food item list.