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Food Stamp Fraud Act of 1997

Introduced: January 7, 1997 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 6, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
Jan 7, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Jan 7, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Food Stamp Fraud Act of 1997 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require by specified dates: (1) States to implement a food stamp program (program) electronic benefit transfer system; and (2) participating retail stores to use optical scanners to read food sale bar codes. Authorizes appropriations for grants to stores in low-income areas to meet such requirement.

Sets forth: (1) civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for program violations; and (2) retail food store reauthorization periods based upon a food stamp redemption percentage.

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to require States with payment error rates exceeding the national performance measure to take additional measures with respect to program coordination and employer and financial institution reporting.

What's happening now February 6, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 273: Food Stamp Fraud Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-273/
MLA
"H.R. 273: Food Stamp Fraud Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-273/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 273, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-273/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 273: Food Stamp Fraud Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-273/)
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