By: Rodriguez, Ortega H.B. No. 2641       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to annually adjusting for inflation the maximum amount of   a motor vehicle excluded in determining eligibility for the   supplemental nutrition assistance program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 33, Human Resources Code,   is amended by adding Section 33.0215 to read as follows:          Sec. 33.0215.  ANNUAL INFLATION ADJUSTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE   VALUE EXCLUDED IN DETERMINING SNAP ELIGIBILITY. (a)  The executive   commissioner by rule shall adjust for inflation in the manner   specified by Subsection (b) the maximum amount of the fair market   value of a motor vehicle that may be excluded from the resources of   an applicant's household for purposes of determining the   applicant's eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance   program benefits, including eligibility determined in accordance   with 7 C.F.R. Section 273.2(j).          (b)  Not later than October 1 of each year, the maximum   amount of the fair market value of a motor vehicle described by   Subsection (a) that may be excluded from an applicant's resources   must be increased or decreased to reflect the percentage difference   between:                (1)  the average index level set by the Bureau of Labor   Statistics; and                (2)  the new vehicles index of the Consumer Price Index   for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics   or its successor index during the most recent 12-month period   ending in June.          (c)  In calculating the maximum amount of the fair market   value of a motor vehicle described by Subsection (a) that may be   excluded and notwithstanding Subsection (b), the commission shall   ensure that the maximum excluded amounts of the first household   vehicle and each additional household vehicle remain proportionate   to each other in the same proportion as the excluded amounts for   those vehicles in effect on August 31, 2021.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to an   initial determination or recertification of eligibility of a person   for the supplemental nutrition assistance program under Chapter 33,   Human Resources Code, that is made on or after the effective date of   this Act.          SECTION 3.  If before implementing any provision of this Act   a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a   federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,   the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or   authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the   waiver or authorization is granted.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.