HB693 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Patterson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Public Benefits, purchase of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and lottery tickets with benefit funds prohibited, use of public funds in retail stores selling primarily alcoholic beverages, casinos and certain adult-oriented entertainment establishments prohibited, penalties for violations

Summary

HB693 would block public assistance benefits from being used to buy alcohol, tobacco, or lottery tickets and would restrict cash withdrawals at certain venues, with penalties and steps to block ATM access.

What This Bill Does

It would prohibit using public assistance benefits to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or lottery tickets, and impose sanctions (including suspension or disqualification) for violations. It would also prohibit cash withdrawals or usage of benefits at establishments that primarily sell alcohol, casinos, tattoo facilities, psychic services, or adult-oriented venues, with corresponding penalties. The Department of Human Resources would work with ATM providers to block cash benefits at ATMs located in these establishments, and violators would have rights to a hearing under state procedure; the department would also pursue any necessary federal waivers and adopt implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Public assistance recipients: they would be barred from using benefits to buy the restricted items and could face temporary or permanent disqualification from benefits for violations, with the right to a hearing.
• Retail establishments and ATM networks: places that primarily sell alcohol, casinos, tattoo facilities, psychic services, or adult-oriented venues would be targeted for blocking access to cash benefits; ATM providers would need to implement the blocking program.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits public assistance benefits from being used to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or lottery tickets, and requires reimbursement to the Department of Human Resources; first violation leads to a one-month disqualification, second to three months, and third or subsequent to permanent disqualification; violators have a right to a hearing.
• Prohibits cash withdrawals or use of cash benefits for purchases at establishments whose primary sale is alcohol, a casino, a tattoo facility, a psychic services facility, or adult-oriented entertainment; sanctions mirror the purchase prohibition (one month, then three months, then permanent) with a hearing right.
• Requires the Department of Human Resources to consult with ATM service providers to block access to cash benefits from EBT cards at ATMs located in the specified establishments.
• If a federal waiver is needed to implement the act, the department must apply for it immediately.
• The Department of Human Resources must adopt rules to implement this act.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Benefits