South Carolina S 777: Kershaw County Women in Leadership

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 777 Text of Previous Version (Jan. 13, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 777

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING ARTICLE 
13 TO CHAPTER 5, TITLE 43, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS RELEVANT TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL 
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND EXEMPTIONS FROM FOODS AND BEVERAGES ELIGIBLE 
FOR PURCHASE UNDER THE PROGRAM; PROVIDE THAT CANDY, ENERGY DRINKS, SOFT DRINKS, 
AND SWEETENED BEVERAGES ARE NOT FOODS ELIGIBLE FOR PURCHASE USING SNAP BENEFITS 
AT SNAP-AUTHORIZED RETAILERS; AND CLARIFY CERTAIN LIMITATIONS OF THE ARTICLE'S 
APPLICATION.

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federally funded nutrition 
assistance program designed to reduce hunger by providing financial assistance 
to low-income individuals and families to buy food. On or about December 10, 
2025 the United States Department of Agriculture approved the State's request 
to operate a novel demonstration project to amend the statutory definition of 
food for purchase by SNAP recipients. The waiver allows the State to exclude 
candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages from the foods 
eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Title 43 of the S.C. Code is amended by 
adding:

Article 13

Limitation on Foods Eligible for the Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program

 Section 
43-5-1300. (A) For the purposes of 
this article:

 (1) 
"Candy" means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial 
sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, or other ingredients in 
the form of bars, drops, or pieces. The definition of "candy" does not include 
protein bars, granola bars, baking ingredients such as sprinkles, chocolate 
melting wafers, toffee bits, or chocolate chips, or items primarily identified 
and sold as bakery or bread products such as baked goods, cakes, crackers, 
cookies, muffins, brownies, pastries, bread, or similar products.

 (2) 
"Energy drinks" means beverages containing at least sixty-five milligrams of 
caffeine per eight fluid ounces that are advertised as being specifically 
designed to provide metabolic stimulation or an increase to the consumer's 
mental or physical energy. The definition of "energy drinks" does not include 
coffee or tea or any substantially coffee or tea-based beverage.

 (3) 
"SNAP" means the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

 (4) 
"Soft drinks" means any nonalcoholic beverage made with carbonated water and 
flavored or sweetened, or both, with five grams or more of sugar or other 
natural or artificial sweeteners.

 (5) 
"Sweetened beverages" means any sweetened beverage, flavored or sweetened, or 
both, with added sugar or other natural or artificial sweeteners, ready for 
consumption without further processing.

 (B) 
The definition of "soft drinks" and "sweetened beverages" does not include:

 (1) 
a beverage that contains milk, milk products, soy, rice, or other milk 
substitutes;

 (2) 
a beverage consisting of at least fifty percent natural fruit or vegetable 
juice with no added caloric sweetener;

 (3) 
a product commonly referred to as "infant" or "baby" formula;

 (4) 
sports or rehydration beverages;

 (5) 
carbonated water beverages; or

 (6) 
a beverage for medical use meaning any beverage suitable for human consumption 
that was manufactured for use as source of necessary nutrition due to a medical 
condition or for use as an oral hydration electrolyte solution for infants and 
children formulated to prevent or treat dehydration due to illness.

 Section 
43-5-1310. Candy, energy drinks, soft drinks, and sweetened beverages are not 
foods eligible for purchase using SNAP benefits at SNAP-authorized retailers.

 Section 
43-5-1320. (A) The provisions of 
this article do not:

 (1) 
prevent certain populations of SNAP recipients from purchasing prepared meals 
from appropriate facilities like senior centers, domestic violence centers, 
substance misuse centers, and homeless shelters under the Restaurant Meals 
Program; or

 (2) 
allow using SNAP benefits to purchase universally banned products, including, 
but not limited to, alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, non-food items, and dietary supplements.

 (B) 
The department shall take all steps required to conform with the United States 
Department of Agriculture's waiver and all steps necessary to extend or reapply 
for the waiver as needed.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on January 13, 2026 at 12:32 PM