§ 2011. — Congressional declaration of policy.
[Laws in effect as of January 7, 2003]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 7, 2003 and December 19, 2003]
[CITE: 7USC2011]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 51--FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
Sec. 2011. Congressional declaration of policy
It is declared to be the policy of Congress, in order to promote the
general welfare, to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation's
population by raising levels of nutrition among low-income households.
Congress finds that the limited food purchasing power of low-income
households contributes to hunger and malnutrition among members of such
households. Congress further finds that increased utilization of food in
establishing and maintaining adequate national levels of nutrition will
promote the distribution in a beneficial manner of the Nation's
agricultural abundance and will strengthen the Nation's agricultural
economy, as well as result in more orderly marketing and distribution of
foods. To alleviate such hunger and malnutrition, a food stamp program
is herein authorized which will permit low-income households to obtain a
more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade by increasing food
purchasing power for all eligible households who apply for
participation.
(Pub. L. 88-525, Sec. 2, Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 703; Pub. L. 91-671,
Sec. 1, Jan. 11, 1971, 84 Stat. 2048; Pub. L. 95-113, title XIII,
Sec. 1301, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 958.)
Amendments
1977--Pub. L. 95-113 substituted ``a more nutritious diet'' for ``a
nutritionally adequate diet'' as the object of the program.
1971--Pub. L. 91-671 provided for cooperation in utilization of
Nation's abundance of food by other agencies, struck out ``to the
maximum extent practicable'' before ``to safeguard the health'',
enunciated finding that limited food purchasing power of low-income
households contributes to hunger and malnutrition, and substituted
``promote the distribution'' for ``will tend to cause the distribution''
and authorization of a program (to alleviate hunger and malnutrition)
which will permit low-income households to purchase a nutritionally
adequate diet through normal channels of trade for prior authorization
of a program (to effectuate policy of Congress and purposes of this
chapter) which will permit such households to receive a greater share of
Nation's abundance of food.
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Section 1301 of Pub. L. 95-113 provided that the amendment made by
that section is effective Oct. 1, 1977.
Short Title of 2002 Amendment
Pub. L. 107-171, title IV, Sec. 4001, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 305,
provided that: ``This title [enacting section 3007 of this title and
section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress, amending sections 1431e, 2012,
2014 to 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025 to 2028, 2031, 2034, 2036,
and 7508 of this title, sections 1612, 1613, and 1631 of Title 8, Aliens
and Nationality, and sections 1755, 1758, 1760, 1769, and 1786 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare, repealing section 2033 of this title,
enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 612c, 2014 to 2016,
2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026, 2028, 2034, 2036, and 3171 of this
title, section 1161 of Title 2, section 1612 of Title 8, and sections
1755, 1758, 1769, and 1786 of Title 42, and amending provisions set out
as a note under section 612c of this title] may be cited as the `Food
Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2002'.''
Short Title of 2000 Amendment
Pub. L. 106-171, Sec. 1, Feb. 11, 2000, 114 Stat. 3, provided that:
``This Act [amending section 2016 of this title and enacting provisions
set out as notes under section 2016 of this title] may be cited as the
`Electronic Benefit Transfer Interoperability and Portability Act of
2000'.''
Short Title of 1994 Amendment
Pub. L. 103-225, Sec. 1, Mar. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 106, provided
that: ``This Act [amending sections 2012, 2014 to 2016, 2018, and 2026
of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under section 2012
of this title, and repealing provisions set out as notes under sections
2015 and 2016 of this title] may be cited as the `Food Stamp Program
Improvements Act of 1994'.''
Short Title of 1993 Amendment
Pub. L. 103-66, title XIII, Sec. 13901(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat.
672, provided that: ``This chapter [chapter 3 (Secs. 13901-13971) of
title XIII of Pub. L. 103-66, amending sections 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017,
2020 to 2023, 2025, 2026, and 2028 of this title, and enacting
provisions set out as a note under section 2025 of this title] may be
cited as the `Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act'.''
Short Title of 1990 Amendment
Pub. L. 101-624, title XVII, Sec. 1701, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat.
3783, provided that: ``This title [enacting section 2032 of this title,
amending sections 1431, 1431e, 2012, 2014 to 2018, 2020 to 2022, 2024 to
2028, 3175, and 3175e of this title, section 6109 of Title 26, Internal
Revenue Code, and sections 405 and 9904 of Title 42, The Public Health
and Welfare, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and
sections 612c, 2012, 2014, 2020, 2025, and 2028 of this title and
section 1751 of Title 42, and amending provisions set out as notes under
sections 612c and 2012 of this title] may be cited as the `Mickey Leland
Memorial Domestic Hunger Relief Act'.''
Short Title of 1988 Amendments
Pub. L. 100-435, Sec. 1(a), Sept. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 1645, provided
that: ``This Act [amending sections 2012, 2014 to 2017, 2020 to 2023,
2025, and 2026 of this title, section 713a-14 of Title 15, Commerce and
Trade, and sections 1761, 1766, 1773, and 1786 of Title 42, The Public
Health and Welfare, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
612c and 2012 of this title and sections 1766 and 1786 of Title 42, and
amending provisions set out as notes under sections 612c, 1731, and 2012
of this title] may be cited as the `Hunger Prevention Act of 1988'.''
Pub. L. 100-232, Sec. 1, Jan. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1566, provided
that: ``This Act [amending section 2014 of this title and enacting
provisions set out as a note under section 612c of this title] may be
cited as the `Charitable Assistance and Food Bank Act of 1987'.''
Short Title of 1986 Amendment
Pub. L. 99-570, title XI, Sec. 11001, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207-
167, provided that: ``This title [amending sections 2012, 2018 and 2019
of this title, sections 1531 and 1603 of Title 29, Labor, sections 3003
and 3020 [now 5103 and 5120] of Title 38, Veterans' Benefits, and
sections 1383 and 1396a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and
enacting provisions set out as notes under section 2012 of this title,
sections 5103 and 5120 of Title 38, and sections 602, 1383 and 1396a of
Title 42] may be cited as the `Homeless Eligibility Clarification
Act'.''
Short Title of 1982 Amendment
Pub. L. 97-253, title I, Sec. 140, Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 772,
provided that: ``This subtitle [subtitle E (Secs. 140-193) of title I of
Pub. L. 97-253, amending sections 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029 of this title
and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1624, 2012, and
2028 of this title] may be cited as the `Food Stamp Act Amendments of
1982'.''
Short Title of 1981 Amendment
Pub. L. 97-98, title XIII, Sec. 1301, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1282,
provided that: ``This title [enacting sections 2029 and 2270 of this
title, amending sections 2012, 2014 to 2016, 2018 to 2020, and 2023 to
2027 of this title, enacting a provision set out as a note under section
2012 of this title, and amending provisions set out as notes under
section 612c of this title] may be cited as the `Food Stamp and
Commodity Distribution Amendments of 1981'.''
Short Title of 1980 Amendment
Pub. L. 96-249, Sec. 1, May 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 357, provided: ``That
this Act [amending sections 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2024 to
2027 of this title, sections 6103 and 7213 of Title 26, Internal Revenue
Code, and sections 503 and 504 of Title 42, The Public Health and
Welfare, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 2014
and 2026 of this title, section 6103 of Title 26, and section 503 of
Title 42] may be cited as the `Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1980'.''
Short Title of 1976 Amendment
Pub. L. 94-339, Sec. 1, July 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 799, provided: ``That
this Act [amending sections 2012, 2015, and 2016 of this title] may be
cited as the `Emergency Food Stamp Vendor Accountability Act of 1976'.''
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 88-525, as amended by Pub. L. 95-113, title
XIII, Sec. 1301, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 958, provided that: ``This Act
[this chapter] may be cited as the `Food Stamp Act of 1977'.''
Study of National Database for Federal Means-Tested Public Assistance
Programs
Pub. L. 105-379, Sec. 2, Nov. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 3399, provided
that:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a
study of options for the design, development, implementation, and
operation of a national database to track participation in Federal
means-tested public assistance programs.
``(b) Administration.--In conducting the study, the Secretary
shall--
``(1) analyze available data to determine--
``(A) whether the data have addressed the needs of the food
stamp program established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
``(B) whether additional or unique data need to be developed
to address the needs of the food stamp program; and
``(C) the feasibility and cost-benefit ratio of each
available option for a national database;
``(2) survey the States to determine how the States are
enforcing the prohibition on recipients receiving assistance in more
than one State under Federal means-tested public assistance
programs;
``(3) determine the functional requirements of each available
option for a national database; and
``(4) ensure that all options provide safeguards to protect
against the unauthorized use or disclosure of information in the
national database.
``(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act [Nov. 12, 1998], the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report on the results of the study conducted under this section.
``(d) Funding.--Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide to the
Secretary of Agriculture $500,000 to carry out this section. The
Secretary shall be entitled to receive the funds and shall accept the
funds, without further appropriation.''
Welfare Simplification and Coordination Advisory Committee
Pub. L. 101-624, title XVII, Sec. 1778, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat.
3814, provided that:
``(a) Appointment and Membership.--
``(1) Establisment [sic].--There is established an Advisory
Committee on Welfare Simplification and Coordination (hereafter in
this section referred to as the `Committee') consisting of not fewer
than 7, nor more than 11, members appointed by the Secretary of
Agriculture (hereafter in this section referred to as the
`Secretary'), after consultation with the Secretary of Health and
Human Services and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
and with the advice of State and local officials responsible for
administering the food stamp program, cash and medical assistance
programs for low-income families and individuals under the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], and programs providing housing
assistance to needy families and individuals, and representatives of
recipients and recipient advocacy organizations associated with such
programs.
``(2) Qualifications.--The members of the Committee shall be
individuals who are familiar with the rules, goals, and limitations
of Federal food stamp, cash, medical, and housing assistance
programs for low-income families and individuals, and may include
individuals who have demonstrated expertise in evaluating the
operations of and interaction among such programs as they affect
administrators and recipients, persons who have experience in
administering such programs at the Federal, State, or local level,
and representatives of administrators and recipients affected by
such programs.
``(b) Purpose.--It shall be the purpose of the Committee, in
consultation, where appropriate, with program administrators and
representatives of recipients--
``(1) to identify the significant policies implemented in the
food stamp program, cash and medical assistance programs under the
Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], and housing assistance
programs (whether resulting from law, regulations, or administrative
practice) that, because they differ substantially, make it difficult
for those eligible to apply for and obtain benefits from more than
one program and restrict the ability of administrators of such
programs to provide efficient, timely, and appropriate benefits to
those eligible for more than one type of assistance, drawing, where
appropriate, on previous efforts to coordinate and simplify such
programs and policies;
``(2) to examine the major reasons for such different programs
and policies;
``(3) to evaluate how and the extent to which such different
programs and policies hinder, to a significant degree, the receipt
of benefits from more than one program and substantially restrict
administrators' ability to provide efficient, timely, and
appropriate benefits;
``(4) to recommend common or simplified programs and policies
(including recommendations for changes in law, regulations, and
administrative practice and for policies that do not currently exist
in such programs) that would substantially reduce difficulties in
applying for and obtaining benefits from more than one program and
significantly increase the ability of administrators of such
programs to efficiently provide timely and appropriate assistance to
those eligible for more than one type of assistance; and
``(5) to describe the major effects of such common or simplified
programs and policies (including how such common or simplified
programs and policies would enhance or conflict with the purposes of
such programs, how they would ease burdens on administrators and
recipients, how they would affect program costs and participation,
and the degree to which they would change the relationships between
the Federal Government and the States in such programs) and the
reasons for recommending such programs and policies (including
reasons, if any, that might be sufficient to override special rules
derived from the purposes of individual programs).
``(c) Administrative Support.--The Secretary shall provide the
Committee with such technical and other assistance, including
secretarial and clerical assistance, as may be required to carry out its
functions.
``(d) Reimbursement.--Members of the Committee shall serve without
compensation but shall receive reimbursement for necessary travel and
subsistence expenses incurred by such members in the performance of the
duties of the Committee.
``(e) Reports.--Not later than July 1, 1993, the Committee shall
prepare and submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, the
Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development a final report,
including recommendations for common or simplified programs and policies
and the effects of and reasons for such programs and policies and may
submit interim reports, including reports on common or simplified
programs and policies covering less than the complete range of programs
and policies under review, to the committees and such Secretaries as
deemed appropriate by the Committee.''
Rules
Pub. L. 99-198, title XV, Sec. 1583, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1595,
provided that: ``Not later than April 1, 1987, the Secretary shall issue
rules to carry out the amendments made by this title [amending sections
612c, 1431e, 2012 to 2023, and 2025 to 2029 of this title, section 49b
of Title 29, Labor, and section 503 of Title 42, The Public Health and
Welfare, and amending provisions set out as notes under section 612c of
this title].''
Implementation of 1977 Amendment; Savings Provision; Availability of
Appropriated Funds; Report
Section 1303 of Pub. L. 95-113, as amended by Pub. L. 97-375, title
I, Sec. 103(a), Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1819, provided that:
``(a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall implement the Food Stamp
Act of 1977 [this chapter as amended by Pub. L. 95-113] as expeditiously
as possible consistent with the efficient and effective administration
of the food stamp program. The provisions of the Food Stamp Act of 1964,
as amended [this chapter prior to amendment by Pub. L. 95-113], which
are relevant to current regulations of the Secretary governing the food
stamp program, shall remain in effect until such regulations are
revoked, superseded, amended, or modified by regulations issued pursuant
to the Food Stamp Act of 1977. Coupons issued pursuant to the Food Stamp
Act of 1964, as amended, and in general use as of the effective date of
the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [Oct. 1, 1977], shall continue to be usable
to purchase food, and all other liabilities of the Secretary, States,
and applicant or participating households, under the Food Stamp Act of
1964, as amended, shall continue in force until finally resolved or
terminated by administrative or judicial action, or otherwise.
``(b) Pending proceedings under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as
amended, shall not be abated by reason of any provision of the Food
Stamp Act of 1977, but shall be disposed of pursuant to the applicable
provisions of the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, in effect prior to
the effective date of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [Oct. 1, 1977].
``(c) Appropriations made available to carry out the Food Stamp Act
of 1964, as amended, shall be available to carry out the provisions of
the Food Stamp Act of 1977.
``(d) [Repealed. Pub. L. 97-375, title I, Sec. 103(a), Dec. 1, 1982,
96 Stat. 1819.]''
