Utah House Democrats oppose the passage of H.B. 403 SNAP Funds Amendments

The Utah House Democratic Caucus released the following statement on H.B. 403 SNAP Funds Amendments. 

“The Utah House Democrats oppose the passage of H.B. 403, SNAP Funds Amendments, which restricts families from purchasing soft drinks with SNAP benefits. Research shows that such restrictions do not effectively change dietary habits but instead undermine the autonomy and dignity of those relying on SNAP.

While this bill claims to promote healthier choices, it imposes restrictions without offering constructive or evidence-based solutions. Additionally, this legislation will be complicated to implement—requiring costly updates to point-of-sale systems, staff retraining, and compliance monitoring, all without guaranteeing better health outcomes.

We resist legislation that stigmatizes vulnerable Utahns without addressing root issues. Our commitment is to the well-being of all Utah families, and we will continue advocating for policies that empower rather than police them.”