Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 73.djvu/646

 PUBLIC LAW 86-341-SEPT. 21, 1959 68 Stat. 458. 7 U S C 14 2 7, 1431, 1692-1694. Food stamp s y s tem.

49 Stat. 774. 7 USC 612c.

Cost limitation.

Issuance of food stamps.

49 Stat. 620. 42 USC 1305.

[73

ST A T,

SEC. 11. Title III of such Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section: "SEC. 306. (a) I n order to promote the general welfare, raise the levels of health and of nourishment for persons whose incomes prevent them from enjoying adequate diets, and dispose in a beneficial manner of food commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation or the Department of Agriculture in carrying out price support operations or diverted from the normal channels of trade and commerce under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, as amended, the Secretary of Agriculture (iii this section referred to as the 'Secretary') is hereby authorized to promulgate and put into operation a program to distribute to needy persons in the United States, including needy Indians, through a food stamp system such surplus food commodities. Such program shall provide for the distribution of such surplus food commodities only during the period beginning February 1, 1960, and ending January 81, 1962. The cost of such program, including the cost to the Federal Government of acquiring, storing, and handling such surplus food commodities, shall not exceed $250,000,000 in any 12-month period beginning February 1 and ending January 31. "(b) In carrying out such program, the Secretary shall— "(1) distribute surplus food made available by the Secretary for distribution under this program only when requested to do so by a State or political subdivision thereof; "(2) issue, or cause to be issued, pursuant to subsection (c), food stamps redeemable by eligible needy persons for such types and quantities of surplus food as the Secretary shall determine; "(3) distribute surplus food in commercially packaged form, preferably through normal channels of trade; "(4) establish standards under which, pursuant to subsection (c), the welfare authorities of any State or political subdivision thereof may participate in the food stamp plan for the distribution of surplus foods to the needy; "(5) consult the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary of Labor, in establishing standards for eligibility for surplus foods and in the conduct of the program generally to assure achievement of the goals outlined in subsection (a) of this section; and "(6) make such other rules and regulations as he may deem necessary to carry out the purpose of this section. "(c) The Secretary shall issue, to each welfare department or equivalent agency of a State or political subdivision requesting the distribution of surplus food under subsection (b)(1), food stamps for each kind of surplus food to be distributed, in amounts based on the total amount of surplus food to be distributed and on the total number of needy persons in the various States and political subdivisions eligible to receive such food. The food stamps shall be issued by each such welfare department or equivalent agency to needy persons receiving welfare assistance, or in need of welfare assistance but ineligible because of State or local law, and shall be redeemable by such needy persons at local distribution points to be determined by the Secretary under subsection (b)(3). " (d) Receipt by any person of benefits under this section shall not be deemed to be income or resources under the provisions of the Social Security Act or any other Federal legislation pertaining to the security of the aged, blind, disabled, dependent children, unem-

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