2014 Senate Bill 841

Increase penalties, authorize property forfeiture for food stamp fraud

Introduced in the Senate

March 4, 2014

Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R-24)

To revise a law that bans having or using a false or doctored food stamp debit card (“bridge card”), reducing the threshold for criminal penalties from getting $250 worth of merchandise to $100, and increasing the penalty from 93 days in jail to one year, and potentially up to five years in prison, or 20 years if the value has exceeded $250,000. The bill also authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of the proceeds from this crime, and any property (including real estate) used to “facilitate” it.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

May 8, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Nov. 13, 2014

Passed in the Senate 25 to 10 (details)

Motion to reconsider by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R-30)

To reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.

The motion passed by voice vote

Received

Passed in the Senate 26 to 10 (details)

To revise a law that bans having or using a false or doctored food stamp debit card (“bridge card”), reducing the threshold for criminal penalties from getting $250 worth of merchandise to $100, and increasing the penalty from 93 days in jail to one year, and potentially up to five years in prison, or 20 years if the value has exceeded $250,000. The bill also authorizes the seizure and forfeiture of the proceeds from this crime, and any property (including real estate) used to “facilitate” it.

Received in the House

Nov. 13, 2014

Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice