I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2129 
To strengthen the Food Stamp Act of 1977. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 3, 2007 
Mr. MCGOVERN (for himself and Mrs. EMERSON) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To strengthen the Food Stamp Act of 1977. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Feeding America’s 
Families Act of 2007’’. 
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TITLE I—IMPROVING BENEFIT 
ADEQUACY 
SEC. 101. ADJUSTING BENEFITS TO RESPOND TO FOOD IN-
FLATION. 
Section 3(o) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2012(o)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(4) on October 1, 2007, adjust the cost of the 
diet to reflect 101.5 percent of the cost of the diet 
in the preceding June, and round the result to the 
nearest lower dollar increment for each household 
size, except that the Secretary may not reduce the 
cost of the diet in effect on September 30, 2007; 
‘‘(5) on October 1, 2008 and October 1, 2009, 
adjust the cost of the diet to reflect 102 percent of 
the cost of the diet in the preceding June, and round 
the result to the nearest lower dollar increment for 
each household size, except that the Secretary may 
not reduce the cost of the diet in effect during the 
immediately preceding fiscal year; 
‘‘(6) on October 1, 2010, adjust the cost of the 
diet to reflect 102.5 percent of the cost of the diet 
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in the preceding June, and round the result to the 
nearest lower dollar increment for each household 
size, except that the Secretary may not reduce the 
cost of the diet in effect on September 30, 2010; and 
‘‘(7) on October 1, 2011, and each October 1 
thereafter, adjust the cost of the diet to reflect 103 
percent of the cost of the diet in the preceding June, 
and round the result to the nearest lower dollar in-
crement for each household size, except that the Sec-
retary may not reduce the cost of the diet in effect 
during the immediately preceding fiscal year.’’. 
SEC. 
102. 
STRENGTHENING 
THE 
FOOD 
PURCHASING 
POWER OF LOW-INCOME AMERICANS. 
Section 5(e)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(e)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking ‘‘not 
less than $134’’ and all that follows to the end of 
the clause and inserting the following: ‘‘not less 
than— 
‘‘(I) for fiscal year 2008, $150, 
$256, $212, and $132, respectively; 
‘‘(II) for fiscal year 2009, $170, 
$291, $240, and $150, respectively; 
‘‘(III) for fiscal year 2010, $180, 
$308, $254, and $159, respectively; 
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‘‘(IV) for fiscal year 2011, $201, 
$344, $284, and $177, respectively; 
and 
‘‘(V) for each fiscal year there-
after, an amount that is equal to the 
amount from the previous fiscal year 
adjusted to the nearest lower dollar 
increment to reflect changes in the 
Consumer Price Index for all urban 
consumers published by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics, for items other than 
food, for the twelve months ending the 
preceding June 30.’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii) by striking ‘‘not 
less than $269.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘not 
less than— 
‘‘(I) for fiscal year 2008, $301; 
‘‘(II) for fiscal year 2009, $341; 
‘‘(III) for fiscal year 2010, $361; 
‘‘(IV) for fiscal year 2011, $404; 
and 
‘‘(V) for each fiscal year there-
after, an amount that is equal to the 
amount from the previous fiscal year 
adjusted to the nearest lower dollar 
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increment to reflect changes in the 
Consumer Price Index for all urban 
consumers published by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics, for items other than 
food, for the twelve months ending the 
preceding June 30.’’. 
SEC. 103. SUPPORTING WORKING FAMILIES WITH CHILD 
CARE EXPENSES. 
Section 5(e)(3)(A) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(3)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘, the 
maximum allowable level of which shall be $200 per month 
for each dependent child under 2 years of age and $175 
per month for each other dependent,’’. 
SEC. 104. EXCLUSION OF COMBAT-RELATED MILITARY PAY 
FROM COUNTABLE INCOME. 
Section 5(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 2007 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and (18)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(18)’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
following: 
‘‘, and (19) any additional payment received under 
chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, by a mem-
ber of the United States Armed Forces deployed to 
a designated combat zone for the duration of the 
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member’s deployment if the additional pay is the re-
sult of deployment to or while serving in a combat 
zone, and it was not received immediately prior to 
serving in the combat zone’’. 
SEC. 105. INCREASING THE MINIMUM BENEFIT. 
Section 8(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2017(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘$10 per month.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘20 percent of the thrifty food plan for a 
household containing one member, as determined by the 
Secretary under section 3(o).’’. 
TITLE II—IMPROVING FOOD SE-
CURITY 
AND 
SIMPLIFYING 
PROGRAM OPERATIONS 
SEC. 201. ALLOWABLE COUNTABLE RESOURCES. 
Section 5(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(g)) is amended — 
(1) by striking ‘‘(g)(1) The Secretary’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(g) ALLOWABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES.— 
‘‘(1) TOTAL AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; 
(2) in subsection (g)(1)(A) (as designated by 
paragraph (1)— 
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(A) by striking ‘‘$2,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$3,700 (as adjusted in accordance with sub-
paragraph (B))’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$3,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$5,500 (as adjusted in accordance with sub-
paragraph (B)),’’; and 
(3) in subsection (g)(1) by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(B) ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on Oc-
tober 1, 2008, and each October 1 there-
after, the amounts in subparagraph (A) 
shall be adjusted to the nearest $100 in-
crement to reflect changes for the 12- 
month period ending the preceding June in 
the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
Consumers published by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics of the Department of 
Labor. 
‘‘(ii) REQUIREMENT.—Each adjust-
ment under clause (i) shall be based on the 
unrounded amount for the prior 12-month 
period.’’. 
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SEC. 202. EXCLUSION OF RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS FROM 
COUNTABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES. 
(a) Section 5(g)(2)(B)(v) of the Food Stamp Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 2014(g)(2)(B)(v)) is amended by striking 
‘‘or retirement account (including an individual account)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘account’’. 
(b) MANDATORY
AND
DISCRETIONARY
EXCLU-
SIONS.—Section 5(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(g)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(7) EXCLUSION
OF
RETIREMENT
ACCOUNTS 
FROM COUNTABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES.— 
‘‘(A) MANDATORY EXCLUSIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall exclude from financial resources 
under this subsection the value of any funds in 
a plan, contract, or account, described in sec-
tions 401(a), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 408A, 
457(b), and 501(c)(18) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 and the value of funds in a Fed-
eral Thrift Savings Plan account as provided in 
section 8439 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) DISCRETIONARY
EXCLUSIONS.—The 
Secretary may exclude from financial resources 
under this subsection the value of any other re-
tirement plans, contracts, or accounts (as deter-
mined by the Secretary through regulation).’’. 
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SEC. 203. EXCLUSION OF EDUCATION ACCOUNTS FROM 
COUNTABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES. 
Section 5(g) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(g) (as amended by section 202) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) EXCLUSION
OF
EDUCATION
ACCOUNTS 
FROM COUNTABLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES.— 
‘‘(A) MANDATORY EXCLUSIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall exclude from financial resources 
under this subsection the value of any funds in 
a qualified tuition program described in section 
529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or 
in a Coverdell education savings account under 
section 530 of that Code. 
‘‘(B) DISCRETIONAL
EXCLUSIONS.—The 
Secretary may exclude from financial resources 
under this subsection the value of any other 
education programs, contracts, or accounts (as 
determined by the Secretary through regula-
tion).’’. 
SEC. 204. SIMPLIFYING WORK REQUIREMENT. 
(a) Section 6 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2015) is amended by striking subsection (o). 
(b) Section 16(h)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
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(A) in clause (vi)(II) by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(B) in clause (vii) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(viii) for each of the fiscal years 
2008 through 2012, $110,000,000.’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (E). 
SEC. 205. FAIRNESS FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. 
Notwithstanding sections 401(a), 402(a), and 403(a) 
of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Rec-
onciliation At of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1611(a), 1612(a), 
1613(a)) and section 6(f) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.A. 2015(f)), persons who are lawfully residing in 
the United States shall be not be ineligible for food stamps 
on the basis of their immigration status or date of entry 
into the United States. 
SEC. 206. CLARIFYING ELIGIBILITY. 
Section 421 of the Personal Responsibility and Work 
Opportunity Reconciliation At of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 
1631(d)(3)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘to the extent that a qualified 
alien is eligible under section 1612(a)(2)(J) of this 
title.’’ and 
(2) inserting, ‘‘to the extent that a child is a 
member of the food stamp household.’’. 
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SEC. 207. ENSURING PROPER SCREENING. 
Section 11(e)(2)(B) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(1) by inserting after clause (v): 
‘‘(vi) shall provide a method for imple-
menting 8 U.S.C. 1631 that does not re-
quire any unnecessary information from 
persons who may be exempt from that pro-
vision;’’; and 
(2) by redesignating clauses (vi) and (vii) as 
clauses (vii) and (viii). 
SEC. 208. CLARIFICATION OF SIMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATIVE 
REPORTING REQUIREMENT. 
Section 11(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2020(a)) is amended by adding the following at 
the end: ‘‘The administrative reporting requirement under 
8 U.S.C. 1631(e)(2) shall be satisfied by the submission 
of an aggregate report on the numbers of such exceptions 
granted each year.’’. 
SEC. 209. STATE OPTION TO PROVIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE 
TO FOSTER COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6 of the Food Stamp Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2015) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(p) STATE OPTION TO PROVIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE 
TO FOSTER COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION.— 
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 
115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Oppor-
tunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (21 U.S.C. 862a), 
except as provided in paragraph (2), section 115 of 
that Act shall not apply in the case of benefits under 
the food stamp program or any State program car-
ried out under this Act. 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION ON RECEIVING FOOD STAMP 
BENEFITS.—In the case of benefits under the food 
stamp program or any State program carried out 
under this Act: 
‘‘(A) A State may, by specific reference in 
a law enacted on or after the enactment date of 
this subsection, elect to apply section 115 of 
that Act to any or all individuals domiciled in 
a State, effective beginning on the date of en-
actment of that law. Section 115 of that Act 
shall apply to any or all individuals domiciled in 
the State in accordance with that law. 
‘‘(B) If, prior to enactment of this sub-
section, a State exempted any or all individuals 
domiciled in the State from the application of 
section 115(a) by specific reference in a law in 
accordance with section 115(d)(1) of that Act, 
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the State may continue to apply section 115 of 
that Act in accordance with that law.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) takes effect on the date that is 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
TITLE III—CONNECTING ELIGI-
BLE FAMILIES AND INDIVID-
UALS TO FOOD STAMPS 
SEC. 301. FACILITATING SIMPLIFIED REPORTING. 
Section 6(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2015(c)(1)(A)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by— 
(A) striking ‘‘reporting by’’ and inserting 
‘‘reporting’’; 
(B) inserting ‘‘for periods shorter than 
four months by’’ after the clause designations 
in clauses (i) and (ii); and 
(C) inserting ‘‘by’’ after the clause des-
ignation in clause (iii); 
(2) in paragraph (3), by— 
(A) striking ‘‘Reports required to be filed 
monthly under paragraph (1)’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (1)(D)(ii), 
periodic reports filed under paragraph (1)’’; 
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(B) striking ‘‘required to be filed month-
ly’’; 
(C) striking ‘‘subject matter included in 
such reports’’ and inserting ‘‘such households’’; 
and 
(D) inserting after the third sentence: 
‘‘The State agency shall not be required to act on 
information about such household received from any 
source between such periodic reports unless the in-
formation clearly indicates that the household is not 
eligible, subject to standards established by the Sec-
retary, or the household requests an increase in ben-
efits.’’. 
SEC. 302. ACCESS TO BENEFITS. 
Section 7 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
2016) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(k) No State agency shall establish any additional 
requirements
or conditions
on households
to receive 
benefits other than the requirements
or conditions speci-
fied in this section.’’. 
SEC. 303. ACCOUNTABLE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) PROHIBITION.—Section 11(e)(6)(B) of the Food 
and Nutrition Assistance Act of 2007 (7 U.S.C. 
2020(e)(6)(B)) is amended to read: 
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‘‘(B) only State employees employed in ac-
cordance with the current standards for a Merit 
System of Personnel Administration, or any 
standards later prescribed by the Office of Per-
sonnel Management pursuant to section 208 of 
the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970 
(42 U.S.C. 4728) modifying or superseding 
such standards relating to the establishment 
and maintenance of personnel standards on a 
merit basis, shall— 
‘‘(i) represent the State agency in any 
communications with a prospective appli-
cant, applicant, or recipient household; 
‘‘(ii) participate in making any deter-
minations relating to a household’s sub-
stantive or procedural compliance with the 
requirements of this Act or implementing 
regulations, including the adequacy of the 
household’s application or of verification or 
other information the household has sub-
mitted in support of that application; or 
‘‘(iii) perform any other acts or par-
ticipate in making any other determina-
tions required under this subsection;’’. 
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(b) WAIVERS.—Section 17(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(ff) of the 
Food and Nutrition Assistance Act of 2007 (7 U.S.C. 
2026(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(ff)) is amended in inserting ‘‘or 
11(e)(6)(B)’’ before the semicolon. 
(c) PROJECTS.—Section 26(f)(3)(E) of the Food and 
Nutrition 
Assistance 
Act 
of 
2007 
(7 
U.S.C. 
2035(f)(3)(E)) is amended in inserting ‘‘(6)(B)’’ after 
‘‘paragraphs’’. 
SEC. 304. REAUTHORIZATION OF FOOD STAMP PROGRAM 
AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON IN-
DIAN RESERVATIONS. 
(a) REDUCTIONS IN PAYMENTS FOR ADMINISTRA-
TIVE COSTS.—Section 16(k)(3) of the Food Stamp Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2025(k)(3)) is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence of subparagraph (A), 
by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii) by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) CASH
PAYMENT
PILOT
PROJECTS.—Section 
17(b)(1)(B)(vi) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
2026(b)(1)(B(vi)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2012’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
18(a)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
2027(a)(1)) is amended in the first sentence by striking 
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‘‘2003 through 2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 through 
2012’’. 
(d) CONSOLIDATED BLOCK GRANTS FOR PUERTO 
RICO AND AMERICAN SAMOA.—Section 19(a)(2) of the 
Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2028(a)(2)) is amend-
ed in subparagraph (A)(ii) by striking ‘‘2007’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 305. PREVENTING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. 
Section 16(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2025(a)) is amended by inserting ‘‘directly or indi-
rectly’’ before ‘‘receive or benefit’’ in the final sentence. 
SEC. 306. LIMITATION ON CONTRACTING. 
Section 16(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2025(a)) is amended by inserting at the end: ‘‘The 
Secretary shall not make any payments for administrative 
costs under this or any other section of law relating to 
a contract that a State agency concluded in violation of 
this Act or the Secretary’s regulations, whether or not the 
Secretary may approve the contract subsequent to its let-
ting, or for any personnel costs to carry out functions 
specified under section 11(e)(3) except by persons de-
scribed under section 11(e)(6)(B).’’. 
SEC. 307. OUTREACH GRANTS. 
Section 11(t)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 2007 (7 
U.S.C. 2020(t)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘For each of 
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fiscal years’’ and all that follows through ‘‘$5,000,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘For each of the fiscal years 2008 through 
2012, 
the 
Secretary 
shall 
use 
not 
more 
than 
$45,000,000’’. 
SEC. 308. FUNDS TO STATES FOR IMPROVING AND INNO-
VATING PROGRAM ACCESS AND INTEGRITY. 
Section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 2007 (7 U.S.C. 
2025), as amended by section 304, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(m) FUNDS TO STATES FOR IMPROVING AND INNO-
VATING PROGRAM ACCESS AND INTEGRITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) 
and (3), the Secretary shall provide that with re-
spect to administrative expenditures described in 
paragraph (2) the percent specified in (a) shall be 
increased to such percentage as the Secretary speci-
fies. 
‘‘(2) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENDITURES
DE-
SCRIBED.—The 
administrative 
expenditures 
de-
scribed in this paragraph are expenditures described 
in (a) that a State demonstrates to the satisfaction 
of the Secretary are attributable to a program inno-
vation that— 
‘‘(A) improves access to the food stamp 
program; 
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‘‘(B) improves the efficiency and effective-
ness of program operations; or 
‘‘(C) improves program integrity. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATIONS.—The total amount of addi-
tional Federal funds that are made available under 
this subsection shall not exceed $80,000,000 in each 
of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012. In applying 
this paragraph, the Secretary shall use discretion in 
determining the State innovations that have the 
greatest likelihood of meeting the goals described in 
paragraph (2). The Secretary shall only make funds 
available under paragraph (2) that will result in new 
activities or operations.’’. 
SEC. 309. IMPROVING PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND PRO-
GRAM EFFECTIVENESS. 
Section 17 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
2026) is amended by adding at the end— 
‘‘(k) RESEARCH TO IMPROVE PROGRAM OPERATION 
EFFECTIVENESS.— 
‘‘(1) For each of the fiscal years 2008 through 
2010, the Secretary shall use no less than 
$9,000,000 of funds made available under section 
18(a)(1) to conduct research and demonstration 
projects in support of this Act. 
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‘‘(2) Of the funds provided in paragraph (1), no 
less than $4,000,000 in each fiscal year shall be 
used to conduct research and studies on how to im-
prove the effectiveness of food stamp program oper-
ations by increasing access for eligible households, 
reducing State agency and household administrative 
burdens, and improving program integrity. Such 
studies may evaluate the most effective— 
‘‘(A) use of verification; 
‘‘(B) telephonic and internet applications; 
‘‘(C) call centers; 
‘‘(D) efforts to retain eligible households at 
recertification; and 
‘‘(E) methods of providing food stamp ben-
efits to working households, seniors, legal immi-
grants, and households with limited English 
proficient households, particularly in areas and 
States that have experienced rapid growth in 
their non-English speaking populations.’’. 
SEC. 
310. 
IMPROVING 
PERFORMANCE 
BONUSES 
FOR 
STATES. 
Section 16(d)(2)(B)(ii) of the Food Stamp Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 2025(d)) is amended by— 
(1) inserting ‘‘through fiscal year 2007’’ after 
‘‘each fiscal year’’; 
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(2) inserting at the end ‘‘For fiscal years 2008 
and thereafter, $68 million shall be available under 
this clause for performance bonus payments.’’. 
SEC. 311. SUPPORTING STATE EFFORTS DURING NATURAL 
DISASTERS. 
Section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(h)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) In lieu of the payments section 16(a) would oth-
erwise require, the Secretary shall pay each State agency 
an amount equal to 90 percent of administrative costs al-
lowable under section 16(a) for costs related to planning 
and operating disaster food stamp programs under this 
subsection.’’. 
SEC. 312. EXPANDING THE USE OF FOOD STAMPS AT FARM-
ERS’ MARKETS. 
Section 25 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
2034) is amended by adding at the end: 
‘‘(i) GRANTS TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF FARM-
ERS’ MARKETS THAT ACCEPT FOOD STAMP BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For each of the fiscal years 
2008 through 2010, the Secretary shall use not 
more than $5 million of funds made available under 
section 18(a)(1) to make grants to pay 100 percent 
of the costs of eligible entities approved by the Sec-
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retary to carry out projects to expand the number 
of farmers’ markets that accept food stamp benefits 
by— 
‘‘(A) providing equipment and training 
necessary for markets to accept food stamp 
benefits; 
‘‘(B) educating and providing technical as-
sistance to farmers and farmers’ market opera-
tors about the process and benefits of accepting 
food stamp benefits; or 
‘‘(C) other activities deemed appropriate 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—A grant made under this 
subsection shall not be made for the cost of the on- 
going cost of carrying out any project. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to re-
ceive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall 
be— 
‘‘(A) a State agency administering the 
Food Stamp Program; 
‘‘(B) a State or local government; or 
‘‘(C) a private nonprofit entity that coordi-
nates farmers’ markets in or within a State and 
that operates in cooperation with State or local 
government. 
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‘‘(4) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The 
Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall develop criteria for the selection 
of eligible entities to receive grants under this 
subsection; and 
‘‘(B) may give preference to any eligible 
entity that consists of a partnership between a 
government entity and a nongovernmental enti-
ty.’’. 
TITLE 
IV—SUPPORTING 
THE 
EMERGENCY 
FOOD 
BANK 
NETWORK AND OTHER COM-
MUNITY PARTNERS 
SEC. 401. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS. 
Section 25(b)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2034(b)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (B) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by inserting at the end: 
‘‘(C) for each of the fiscal years 2008 
through 2012, the amount available in the im-
mediately preceding fiscal year adjusted to re-
flect changes in the Consumer Price Index for 
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All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics for the twelve months end-
ing the preceding June 30.’’. 
SEC. 402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ADDI-
TIONAL COMMODITIES UNDER THE FOOD 
STAMP ACT. 
(a) Section 27(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2011–2036a) is amended to read as follows: 
(1) by striking ‘‘(a) PURCHASE OF COMMOD-
ITIES.—’’ and all that follows through ‘‘2007’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) PURCHASE OF COMMODITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—As provided in paragraph 
(2), for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012’’; 
and 
(2) by striking ‘‘$140,000,000 of’’; and 
(3) by inserting at the end: 
‘‘(2) AMOUNTS.—The following amounts are 
made available to carry out this subsection: 
‘‘(A) for fiscal year 2008, $250,000,000; 
‘‘(B) for each of the fiscal years 2009 
through 2012, the dollar amount of commod-
ities available in the immediately preceding fis-
cal year adjusted by the percentage by which 
the thrifty food plan has been adjusted under 
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