South Carolina Waterways Protection Act

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chip Campsen

Requires EOHHS to report within 3 months on the resources DTA needs (staff, IT, outreach) to boost timely SNAP enrollment and improve customer service for eligible households.

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Main purpose

This bill requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to produce a short, actionable report identifying the resources the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) needs to ensure eligible households are enrolled promptly in federal nutrition assistance programs the department administers. The stated aim is to maximize participation in federal nutrition programs and improve customer service for applicants and beneficiaries.

Key provisions

Amends Section 16 of Chapter 6A of the Massachusetts General Laws by adding a new paragraph.

Within three months of enactment, EOHHS must submit a report to the legislative committees specified in the bill.

The report must:

Describe DTA’s short- and long-term goals for improving access to benefits and for providing timely customer service to eligible households; and
Specify the financial and other (e.g., staff, IT, outreach) resources DTA needs to achieve those goals.

Who is affected

Department of Transitional Assistance: required needs assessment and will be the subject of the report.

Executive Office of Health and Human Services: responsible for preparing and submitting the report.

Eligible households seeking federal nutrition assistance administered by DTA (e.g., SNAP and other nutrition programs): intended beneficiaries through improved access and service.

Legislative committees receiving the report: will use the information for oversight, budgeting, and potential follow-up legislation.

Timeline / procedural aspects

Report deadline: within 3 months after the bill becomes law.

The bill text directs the report be submitted to “the house and senate committees on ways and the committee on children, families, and persons with disabilities” (as written in the bill).

Legislative status entries provided with the submission are inconsistent (see note below). The bill was introduced in January 2025 and—according to the text supplied—has had committee referrals and at least one scheduled hearing; one record shows it was later reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways and Means.

Potential impact

Provides legislators with a near-term, evidence-based resource request tied to measurable goals, which can inform budget decisions, staffing, IT investments, and program improvements to increase enrollment and reduce processing delays.

If adopted and funded, could lead to expanded outreach, reduced administrative barriers, faster enrollment, and improved customer service for nutrition program applicants.

Notes and data inconsistencies

The metadata supplied with the bill contains conflicting or duplicate items (titles referencing labor/liquor authority; disparate sponsor lists; repeated or varying committee referrals and dates). This summary is based on the bill text titled “An Act to maximize participation in federal nutrition programs and improve customer service.” If you want, I can reconcile the procedural/sponsor metadata against official legislative records and produce an updated status report.

Bill