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HB44 • 2026

Public assistance; Department of Human Resources required to request waiver to allow the purchase of hot rotisserie chickens with SNAP benefits, implementation of prohibition provided for

Public assistance; Department of Human Resources required to request waiver to allow the purchase of hot rotisserie chickens with SNAP benefits, implementation of prohibition provided for

Agriculture
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Givens
Last action
2026-01-13
Official status
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text states the act becomes effective on October 1, 2026, but the actual purchase of hot chickens depends entirely on federal approval which is uncertain.

HB44: Requesting Permission to Buy Hot Rotisserie Chickens with SNAP Benefits

This bill requires the Alabama Department of Human Resources to ask the federal government for special permission so that people can use their food assistance benefits to buy hot rotisserie chickens.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the state department to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
  • Asks to add hot rotisserie chickens to the list of foods allowed under SNAP rules.
  • Directs the department to allow purchases with benefits if the federal government approves the request.
  • Orders the commissioner to resubmit the request every year if it is denied.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Alabama Department of Human Resources
  • People who receive SNAP food assistance in Alabama

Terms To Know

SNAP benefits
A financial benefit, coupon, or privilege available under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Waiver
Special permission from a higher authority to change an existing rule regarding eligible foods.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill only takes effect if the federal government grants the waiver request.
  • The final decision on whether hot chickens are allowed rests with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
  • This act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-13 House

    Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

  2. 2026-01-13 House

    Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means General Fund

Official Summary Text

Public assistance; Department of Human Resources required to request waiver to allow the purchase of hot rotisserie chickens with SNAP benefits, implementation of prohibition provided for

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB44 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB44
U93F7XG-1
By Representative Givens
RFD: Ways and Means General Fund
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 18-Sep-25
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U93F7XG-1 09/08/2025 GP (L)GP 2025-2588
Page 1
PFD: 18-Sep-25
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would require the Department of Human
Resources to request a waiver from the United States
Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services
to add hot rotisserie chickens to the definition of
eligible food for purposes of SNAP benefits.
If the waiver is granted, this bill would
require the department to authorize the purchase of hot
rotisserie chickens with SNAP benefits.
This bill would also require the department to
annually resubmit the request for a waiver if the
request is denied.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to public assistance; to require the
Department of Human Resources to request a waiver to add hot
rotisserie chickens to the definition of eligible foods for
purposes of SNAP benefits; to require the department to
authorize the purchase of hot rotisserie chickens with SNAP
benefits if the waiver is granted; and to provide for the
resubmission of the request, if the request is denied.
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HB44 INTRODUCED
Page 2
resubmission of the request, if the request is denied.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) For the purposes of this section, the
following terms have the following meanings:
(1) DEPARTMENT. The Alabama Department of Human
Resources.
(2) SNAP BENEFIT. A financial benefit, coupon, or
privilege available under the federal Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, 7 U.S.C. Chapter 51.
(3) USDA FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE. The United States
Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
(b) The commissioner of the department shall request a
waiver from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to authorize
the department to add hot rotisserie chickens to the
definition of "eligible foods" under 7 C.F.R. § 271.2.
(c) If the waiver described in subsection (b) is
approved by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the
department shall authorize the use of SNAP benefits for the
purchase of hot rotisserie chickens.
(d) If the waiver described in subsection (b) is
denied, the commissioner shall resubmit the request for a
waiver to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service annually, until
approval is granted.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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