Summary of House Bill H 111
Bill Number: H 111
Title: Public Assistance Law – Provisions Regarding Photographic Identification on Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards
Status: Reported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare
Introduced: February 03, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject Areas: Federal Laws and Relations, Food, Health and Welfare Department, Identification Cards, Licenses and Permits, Public Assistance, Transportation
Purpose and Intent
House Bill H 111 aims to enhance accountability and reduce fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by requiring the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare to implement photographic identification on electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. The bill seeks to ensure that benefits are accessed only by authorized individuals, thereby minimizing misuse of public assistance resources.
Key Provisions
The bill introduces a new section (56-211A) to Chapter 2, Title 56 of the Idaho Code, which includes the following key provisions:
Photographic Identification Requirement:
- By January 1, 2026, all new EBT cards issued to recipients must include a photographic identification.
- The photographic ID must be in a form approved by the Department of Health & Welfare and should not restrict access to benefits for authorized users within the same household.
Replacement Strategy:
- The Department must develop a strategy to replace existing EBT cards without photographs within 18 months for households still participating in the program.
Coordination with Idaho Transportation Department:
- The Department is encouraged to collaborate with the Idaho Transportation Department to utilize existing photographs or digital images to minimize implementation costs.
Exemptions:
- Certain households are exempt from the photographic ID requirement, including:
- Households with no adult members.
- Households where all adult members are 60 years or older.
- Households where all adult members are blind, disabled, or victims of domestic violence.
- Households with adult members who have religious objections to being photographed.
Investigation Trigger:
- If a household requests two additional replacement cards within 12 months, the Department is mandated to refer the household for investigation.
Fiscal Impact
The implementation of this bill is estimated to cost $574,859 from the General Fund, which includes:
- One-time costs: $369,150
- Ongoing costs: $205,709
The total projected costs, including federal funds, amount to $1,149,718.
Procedural Aspects
- The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, and was reported printed and referred to the Health & Welfare Committee on February 4, 2025.
- An emergency clause is included, declaring that the act will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Conclusion
House Bill H 111 represents a significant change in the administration of public assistance programs in Idaho, aiming to bolster security and integrity in the distribution of benefits. By requiring photographic identification on EBT cards, the legislation seeks to protect public resources and ensure that assistance reaches those who are truly eligible.
