PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota Senate committee is looking at a bill that would end a faltering tax refund program for poor people so the money can instead be given to a nonprofit organization that provides food to low-income families across the state.

The bill would repeal a program started in 2004 that has given low-income families a refund of the sales tax they pay on food.  Because of rule changes, few families now qualify for the tax refund.  The measure would take the $838,000 remaining in the fund and give it to Feeding South Dakota, a nonprofit that provides food to
450 organizations that distribute food to families throughout the state.  The bill has already passed the House. The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the measure Tuesday.

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