produce incentive program; annual appropriation

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is listed as the general effective date, which typically means upon signature or a standard legislative timeline, but no specific calendar date is provided in the source.

HB2224: Produce Incentive Program Funding

This bill gives $1 million each year starting in fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Economic Security so SNAP users can get extra money for buying Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables.

What This Bill Does

• Sets aside $1,000,000 from the state General Fund every year beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027.
• Sends this money to the Department of Economic Security (DES) to run the Produce Incentive Program.
• Allows DES to give up to $20 extra per transaction for SNAP users buying eligible Arizona-grown produce at approved sites, subject to available funds.
• Requires DES to build systems and do research on how well the program works for buyers and farmers.

Who It Names or Affects

• People enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Farmers who grow fruits and vegetables in Arizona.
• Stores, markets, farm stands, mobile markets, community supported agriculture sites, grocery stores, and convenience stores authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

Terms To Know

Produce Incentive Program

A program that gives extra money to help SNAP users buy fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Arizona.

SNAP

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal aid program for food purchases.

Eligible produce

Fresh, canned, dried, or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables from Arizona that have no added sugar, fat, oil, or salt.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not say exactly how many people can use the program each year.
• It states DES must provide matching funds only if money is available in the budget.
• The text does not list specific dates for when the research results will be shared.

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