STUDY ON COMPARABLE ACCESS TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR PUERTO RICO.

SEC. 4142. STUDY ON COMPARABLE ACCESS TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR PUERTO RICO.(a) In General.—The Secretary shall carry out a study of the feasibility and effects of including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the definition of the term “State” under section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012), in lieu of providing block grants under section 19 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2028).(b) Inclusions.—The study shall include—(1) an assessment of the administrative, financial management, and other changes that would be necessary for the Commonwealth to establish a comparable supplemental nutrition assistance program, including compliance with appropriate program rules under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), such as—(A) benefit levels under section 3(u) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2012(u));(B) income eligibility standards under sections 5(c) and 6 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2014(c), 2015); and(C) deduction levels under section 5(e) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2014(e));(2) an estimate of the impact on Federal and Commonwealth benefit and administrative costs;(3) an assessment of the impact of the program on low-income Puerto Ricans, as compared to the program under section 19 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2028); and(4) such other matters as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.(c) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the results of the study conducted under this section.(d) Funding.—(1) In general.—On October 1, 2008, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary to carry out this section $1,000,000, to remain available until expended.(2) Receipt and acceptance.—The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.