State lawmakers to vote on limiting options under FoodShare

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin lawmakers are set to debate a measure that would restrict products available to food stamps recipients.

The Assembly's public benefit reform committee is set to take up the bill Wednesday that would require food stamp recipients to use at least two-thirds of their monthly benefits to purchase nutritional foods such as beef, chicken and fresh produce. Users would be barred from buying crab, lobster, shrimp and other shellfish.

The federal government funds food stamp benefits. If approved, legislators would need a waiver to impose limitations. No state has received such a waiver.

The Assembly passed a similar bill last session but it never got a vote in the Senate.

Committee approval would move the bill to the full Assembly next week.