Rep. Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) wants to make sure the state’s poorest residents are not using their welfare benefits for purposes other than basic needs.
He sponsors
HF171 that would place several new restrictions on residents enrolled in assistance programs that include the use of EBT cards.
Restrictions in the bill include a $20 per month cash withdrawal limit and no use of the EBT card outside of Minnesota. It would also prohibit retailers from accepting an EBT card as payment without seeing a photo identification and increase the residency requirement to apply for an EBT card from 30 to 90 days.
The House Health and Human Services Reform Committee approved the bill and sent it to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee. Its companion,
SF75, sponsored by Sen. Doug Magnus (R-Slayton), awaits action by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Attorney Jessica Webster said she has strong concerns that the portion of the bill concerning durational residency requirements is unconstitutional.
Daudt believes the language of the bill finds a middle ground that ensures fraud is eliminated, while those who have assistance can still get it.
Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) said she believes that the bill’s restriction of cash withdrawal to eliminate misuse will not accomplish its intended purpose.
“You can’t stop people from taking cash out of a machine and using it for what they want,” Norton said.
The bill also requires liquor stores, gambling establishments and tattoo parlors to block EBT transactions at their establishments.
Representing the Welfare Rights Committee, Angel Buechner said she believes the bill dehumanizes users of EBT cards.
“A lot of people out here aren’t living the high life, getting tattoos and drinking,” she said. “We use that money to take care of our families.”
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