Assembly passes bills Republicans say would cut down on fraud in food stamp program

MADISON — The Wisconsin Assembly has passed three bills that Republicans say will cut down on fraud in the state's food stamp program.

Photos would be added to Wisconsin's food stamp electronic debit benefit card under a bill that's cleared the state Assembly.

The Assembly passed the measure 57-40 on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Even though photos would be required under the bill, store clerks would not have to look at them before completing a sale. That would require a federal waiver, something the bill does not seek.

Republican bill sponsor Rep. Jesse Kremer says just having the photos on the card will reduce illegal trafficking of the cards.

Democrats say the bill is hateful, a waste of money and won't reduce fraud as its backers claim it will.

It would cost an estimated $7.4 million to implement and $2 million a year after that.

The Wisconsin Assembly also passed a bill bringing greater scrutiny to food stamp recipients who request multiple replacement debit cards.

The bill passed 66-31 Tuesday would allow a FoodShare recipient to receive three replacement debit cards each year no questions asked.

After a fourth request in a year, the person would be notified that they could be investigated for fraud. After a fifth request, the person would be investigated.

The state Department of Health Services in 2013 instituted a pilot policy where it sent letters to FoodShare recipients who asked for four or more cards a year. The department determined the pilot to be successful in reducing the requests for replacements, and plans to implement it statewide in December.

The bill would put the policy into law.

The Assembly passed a bill that would require the state to seize all FoodShare benefits if the account has not been accessed in six months or more. The recipient could not access the benefits again until they make a request for it to be reactivated or they reapply for the program.

Democratic Rep. Andy Jorgensen says the bill is designed to score political points for Republicans, but isn't worth the $1.3 million in estimated costs to execute.

Bill sponsor, Republican Rep. Andre Jacque, says the bill will remove a temptation to commit fraud by taking control over large unspent balances.

It passed on a bipartisan 66-31 vote.