S.Amdt. 2235

1. Adds SEC. 4011. IMPROVING NUTRITION PILOT PROJECTS on page 335, between lines 8 and 9

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: SEC. 4011. IMPROVING NUTRITION PILOT PROJECTS.

   Inserted: Section 17(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

   Inserted: "(4) Improving nutrition pilot projects.--

   Inserted: "(A) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this paragraph, after providing notice but without regard to subchapter II of chapter 5, and chapter 7, of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the 'Administrative Procedure Act'), the Secretary shall carry out on a trial basis in 5 or more States pilot projects to test program changes designed--

   Inserted: "(i) to improve the nutrition of supplemental nutrition assistance program beneficiaries; or

   Inserted: "(ii) to assist the beneficiaries in meeting Federal nutrition guidelines.

   Inserted: "(B) Project approval requirements.--In selecting pilot projects under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to projects--

   Inserted: "(i) that provide a reasonable expectation that--

   Inserted: "(I) under the project, the nutritional value of food purchased with supplemental nutritional assistance program benefits will increase; or

   Inserted: "(II) the project will assist supplemental nutritional assistance program beneficiaries in meeting Federal nutrition guidelines;

   Inserted: "(ii) that will be developed using a public process that shall include--

   Inserted: "(I) representatives of agricultural producers, program beneficiaries, anti-hunger advocates, and public health groups; and

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   Inserted: "(II) solicitation of substantial public input for a period of not less than 90 days; and

   Inserted: "(iii) for which the responsible State or local authority guarantees that the State or local authority will maintain cost neutrality for the duration of the project.

   Inserted: "(C) Duration.--

   Inserted: "(i) In general.--Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), a pilot project under this paragraph shall be authorized for not more than 5 years.

   Inserted: "(ii) Report.--As soon as practicable after the end of the 3-calendar-year period beginning on the date of implementation of a pilot project under this paragraph, the Secretary shall issue a comprehensive report that assesses whether or not the pilot project has met or will meet the stated goals of the project.

   Inserted: "(iii) Positive determination.--Only if the Secretary makes a positive determination in the report described in clause (ii) shall the pilot program continue for the remainder of the 5-year authorization.

   Inserted: "(D) Waiver.--

   Inserted: "(i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary may waive any requirement of this Act to the extent necessary to carry out a project under this paragraph.

   Inserted: "(ii) Limitation.--A waiver granted under clause (i) shall not reduce the eligibility for, or amount of, benefits available to recipients under this Act.

   Inserted: "(iii) Requirement.--The Secretary shall approve or deny any waiver request made by a State for a project under this paragraph not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the request.".

   Original wording

   On page 335, between lines 8 and 9, insert the following:

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As printed