Bill Overview
Title: SNAP Second Chance Act of 2022
Description: This bill limits the authority of the Department of Agriculture to exclude retailers from participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) based on an owner's past criminal conviction.
Sponsors: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Target Audience
Population: Retail business owners with past criminal convictions interested in participating in SNAP.
Estimated Size: 5000
- The legislation relates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food-purchasing assistance for low- and no-income people.
- The bill focuses on retailers, specifically those with owners who have past criminal convictions.
- The impact of this bill is primarily on those business owners who have past criminal convictions and their access to participate as retailers under SNAP.
- According to global crime statistics, millions of individuals may have past convictions. A small fraction of these individuals will be business owners interested in SNAP.
- Globally, there are millions of retail businesses, and a subset of these are involved in food retail.
- There is no specific data on how many retail business owners worldwide have criminal convictions. However, the impact will be limited to those with convictions and are eligible or interested SNAP retailers.
Reasoning
- The target population for this policy includes retail business owners with past criminal convictions interested in participating in SNAP. They represent a smaller fraction of the overall SNAP retailers. As the policy allows them to participate more freely, the impact is mostly concentrated within this group.
- Given the budget restrictions, the policy will perhaps not drastically increase the number of retailers able to join SNAP initially, but it will open avenues over the years by removing the deterrent effect of criminal records.
- The policy's effect on self-reported wellbeing is tied to these business owners' ability to access new market opportunities provided by SNAP, which would likely enhance their business prospects and personal socio-economic mobility.
- In simulating these interviews, we focus on a range of perceived impacts including high, medium, and low, to represent common experiences among the affected group. We also consider business owners who may not be affected because they don't participate in SNAP or don't see benefits in it.
Simulated Interviews
Convenience Store Owner (Detroit, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have been struggling to keep my store open due to limitations in joining programs like SNAP.
- This policy would allow me to tap into a larger customer base and provide more for my community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Grocery Store Owner (Houston, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being barred from SNAP has been a major setback.
- This policy could transform our family business prospects significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Mini Mart Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want to participate in SNAP but my past record has always been a barrier.
- With this bill, I see hope of expanding my operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Bodega Owner (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting into SNAP would instantly help my business.
- It's been difficult to compete without access to programs like these.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Ethnic Food Market Owner (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy brings new hope and opportunities for not just me but the community I aim to serve.
- If my store joins SNAP, customers will benefit greatly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Small Produce Stand Owner (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve always wanted to support families in need directly with EBT payments.
- This bill could level the playing field for business owners like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Deli Owner (Chicago, IL)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy change is crucial for me to support my family and reinvest in my business.
- I expect positive changes if this passes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Local Superette Owner (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope to help my community better through SNAP.
- It's frustrating that past mistakes limit access to beneficial programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Health Food Store Owner (Austin, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Entering SNAP would align with my mission and increase customer access.
- This policy could signify a turning point for ethical entrepreneurship.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Soul Food Cafe Owner (Memphis, TN)
Age: 49 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is key to sustaining my business in the future.
- The ability to accept EBT would be transformative.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $2200000 (Low: $1200000, High: $3200000)
Year 3: $2400000 (Low: $1300000, High: $3400000)
Year 5: $2600000 (Low: $1500000, High: $3600000)
Year 10: $3000000 (Low: $1800000, High: $4000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Key Considerations
- The administrative burden on the USDA to process an increased number of retailer applications and ensure compliance with new regulations.
- Potential indirect economic benefits from increased business opportunities for formerly restricted retail owners.
- The social impact of rehabilitating individuals with past convictions by integrating them into mainstream economic activities.