produce incentive program; annual appropriation

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify a start date for fiscal years beyond 2026-2027.

Produce Incentive Program Funding

HB2224 provides $1,000,000 each year from the state's general fund for the Produce Incentive Program to help SNAP enrollees buy Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables.

What This Bill Does

• Appropriates $1,000,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2026-2027 from the state General Fund to the Department of Economic Security (DES) for implementing the Produce Incentive Program.
• Allows DES to match up to $20 per transaction at SNAP-authorized sites where Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables are sold, subject to available funds.

Who It Names or Affects

• SNAP enrollees who buy Arizona-grown produce from participating stores or markets.
• Farmers and producers selling Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables in SNAP-authorized locations.

Terms To Know

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

A federal program that helps low-income people buy food.

Department of Economic Security (DES)

The Arizona state agency responsible for managing programs like SNAP and the Produce Incentive Program.

Limits and Unknowns

• It is not clear how many SNAP enrollees will participate in the program.
• The bill does not specify what happens if there are no funds available to match purchases.

Official Summary Text

HB2224 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

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ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR
H.B. 2224

produce
incentive program; annual appropriation

Purpose

Appropriates $1,000,000 in FY 2027, and each fiscal year after, from the
state General Fund (state GF) to the Department of Economic Security (DES) to
implement the Produce Incentive Program (Program).

Background

DES must plan, prepare and develop the infrastructure necessary to
implement the Program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
enrollees to purchase eligible

Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables at SNAP-authorized farmers markets, farm
stands, mobile markets, community supported agriculture sites, grocery stores
and convenience stores. Subject to available monies, DES must provide matching
monies of up to $20 per participating

SNAP-authorized site per transaction for a SNAP enrollee to purchase eligible
Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables at a participating SNAP authorized site. Additionally,
DES must conduct research and evaluate the Program and its impact on purchases
made by SNAP enrollees and producers of Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables.

Eligible Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables
means any
Arizona-grown variety of fresh, canned, dried, frozen whole or cut fruits and
vegetables that do not contain added sugars, fats, oils or salt (
A.R.S.
� 46-231
).

H.B. 2224 appropriates $1,000,000 in FY 2027, and each fiscal year after,
from the state GF to DES.

Provisions

1.

Appropriates
$1,000,000 in FY 2027, and each fiscal year after, from the state GF to DES to
implement the Program.

2.

Exempts
the appropriation from lapsing.

3.

Becomes
effective on the general effective date.

House Action

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Prepared by Senate Research

March 13, 2026

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Current Bill Text

HB2224 - 572R - H Ver

House Engrossed

produce incentive
program; annual appropriation

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE BILL 2224

AN
ACT

amending
title 46, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 46-232;
relating to the produce incentive program.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section
1.
1. Title
46, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding
section 46-232, to read:

START_STATUTE
46-232.

Appropriation;
department of economic security; produce incentive program; exemption

A. The sum of
$1,000,000
is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026-2027 and
each fiscal year thereafter to the department of economic security to implement
the produce incentive program established pursuant to section 46-231.

B. The appropriation made in
subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190
relating to lapsing of appropriations.

END_STATUTE