New Food Stamp Legislation Introduced By Oklahoma Senator - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

New legislation was introduced to reform the current food stamp program for states to design individualized nutrition on assistance programs.

Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe introduced the Food Stamp Restoration Act that is estimated to save more than $300 billion over the next ten years.

Inhofe plans for the bill to place "the responsibility of future food stamp programs at the state level."

46 million Americans claim Food Stamp benefits, costing taxpayers over $80 billion per year.

According to a Gallup Poll released in August, Oklahoma was listed as a state where residents were likely to struggle paying for food.

"My bill gives states nearly limitless flexibility to design and implement their food stamp programs in the way that best serves their people." Inhofe said, "By giving increased powers to each state, my bill would provide an opportunity for more people in need to receive adequate care."

The proposed bill requires that the program only allow benefit spending on real food, not for alcohol or tobacco.  Recipients of the benefits must also submit themselves to drug testing and must be legal residents of the United States.