A joint resolution making an urgent appropriation for the food stamp program for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, for the Department of Agriculture.
PL 96-243 (H.J.Res.545), enacted 05/16/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-243—MAY 16, 1980 
94 STAT. 345 
Public Law 96-243 
96th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Making an urgent appropriation for the food stamp program for the fiscal year 
endmg September 30,1980, for the Department of Agriculture. 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sum is 
appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30,1980, namely: 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
May 16, 1980 
[H.J. Res. 545] 
Food stamp 
program, 
additional 
appropriations. 
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM 
For an additional amount for the "Food Stamp Program", 
$2,556,174,000: Provided, That funds provided herein shall remain 
available until September 30,1980, in accordance with section 18(a) of 
the Food Stamp Act: Provided further. That up to 5 per centum of the 
foregoing amount may be placed in reserve to be apportioned pursu-
ant to section 3679 of the Revised Statutes, as amended, for use only 
in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry 
out program operations: Provided further. That the Department of 
Agriculture is directed to study the effects of regulations which 
would limit benefits to participants in the food stamp program based 
upon value of the participants assets, shall recommend an appropri-
ate level of asset value which would deny or reduce benefits to a 
participant and analyze the impacts of such a restriction. Appropri-
ate exemptions to this restriction should be considered. The Depart-
ment is to analyze the administrative burden which this will impose 
upon the States. The Department is to report to Congress its findings 
in this matter not later than January 15, 1981: Provided further, 
That the Secretary of Agriculture shall study the impact and advis-
ability of counting, for the purposes of income in determining 
eligibility: all educational loans on which payment is deferred; 
grants, fellowships, scholarships, and veteran's educational benefits 
used for the payment of tuition and mandatory fees at any educa-
tional institution of higher learning; and all housing subsidies 
including, but not limited to payments made by an outside party on 
behalf of an individual or household. The Department is to report to 
Congress its findings in this matter not later than January 15,1981: 
Provided further. That notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the Secretary of Agriculture shall make the determination on bene-
fit reductions required by section 18 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, 
as amended, on the basis of a total appropriation for fiscal year 1980 
of $9,191,000,000: Provided further, That total appropriations shall 
not exceed $9,191,000,000 for fiscal year 1980. 
Approved May 16, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 96-927 (Comm. on Appropriations) and No. 96-973 (Comm. of 
ConiGrGncG) 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): 
May 13, considered and passed House. 
May 14, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
May 15, House agreed to conference report; receded and concurred in Senate 
amendments with amendments; Senate agreed to conference report and 
concurred in House amendments. 
7 u s e 2027. 
31 u s e 665. 
Regulatory 
effects of benefit 
limitations, 
study. 
7 u s e 2014 note. 
Report to 
Congress. 
7 u s e 2014 note. 
Report to 
Congress. 
7 u s e 2027.