WASHINGTON -- Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cardholders could obtain groceries in every state under legislation that passed the House on Jan. 31 and goes to President Clinton for his signature, according to the Associated Press.
The bill, which passed by voice vote, requires the Agriculture Department to set national standards for EBT systems to allow food stamp participants to redeem their benefits in neighboring states.
Nearly half of the benefits are issued through electronic accounts, but each state sets up its EBT system, which prevents out-of-state transactions.
Authored by Sen. Peter Fitzgerald, R-Ill., the bill passed the Senate in November. Fitzgerald said he acted because many families who live in East St. Louis, Ill., and work in Missouri cannot buy groceries on their way home from work because the two states have different EBT programs.
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