Public Act 096-1088
 
HB4756 EnrolledLRB096 16292 KTG 31917 b

    AN ACT concerning public aid.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Program Act.
 
    Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
    "Farmers' market" means a nontraditional fresh food
market, licensed by the United States Department of
Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP
benefits, where farmers or growers sell a variety of fresh
fruits and vegetables and other locally-grown farm products
directly to consumers.
    "LINK card" means an electronic benefits transfer card
issued by the Department of Human Services for the purpose of
enabling a user of the card to obtain SNAP (formerly known as
food stamps) benefits or cash.
 
    Section 10. Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Program.
    (a) The Department of Human Services and the Department of
Agriculture shall implement a Farmers' Market Technology
Improvement Program. The purpose of this program is to increase
access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other LINK eligible
food products, including quality meat and dairy, for all
Illinois residents by allowing LINK program participants to
redeem their SNAP benefits at farmers' markets. The Department
of Human Services and the Department of Agriculture shall
solicit federal and State funding for the purpose of
implementing this program.
    (b) The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Fund is
created as a special fund in the State Treasury for the purpose
of implementing the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Program. All monies received pursuant to this Act shall be
deposited into the Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Fund. Funding for the program must be used for one or more of
the following purposes:
        (1) The purchase or rental of wireless point of sale
    terminals capable of processing SNAP benefits disbursed
    under the LINK program.
        (2) Monthly or transaction fees associated with LINK
    card transactions. No fees related to credit or debit
    transactions will be reimbursed.
        (3) Outreach to LINK program participants.
 
    Section 15. Implementation of regulations. The Department
of Human Services shall adopt necessary rules and shall
implement the program by March 31, 2011.
 
    Section 20. The State Finance Act is amended by adding
Section 5.755 as follows:
 
    (30 ILCS 105/5.755 new)
    Sec. 5.755. The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement
Fund.
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
2010.

Effective Date: 7/19/2010