HB2396 • 2026

SNAP; allowed purchases; waiver

HB2396 - SNAP; allowed purchases; waiver

Agriculture Energy

Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor: Leo Biasiucci, Michael Carbone, Pamela Carter, Lisa Fink, John Gillette, Julie Willoughby, Hildy Angius
Last action: 2026-02-20
Official status: Governor vetoed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was vetoed, so its provisions are not currently active law unless lawmakers override the veto.

HB2396: Rules for SNAP Food Purchases

This bill asks federal officials for permission to stop people from using food assistance benefits to buy sugary drinks, candy, and other low-nutrition items.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Department of Economic Security to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a waiver to limit certain purchases.
Defines eligible foods as whole meats, dairy products including milk alternatives, eggs, fruits and vegetables without added sweeteners, grains, cooking oils, water without added sugar or substitutes, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, and items approved under the federal WIC program.
Lists noneligible items that cannot be bought with benefits if approved, including soda, energy drinks, candy, snack foods of minimal nutritional value as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and hot prepared meals intended for immediate consumption.
States that the department must give clear rules to shoppers and stores before any changes take effect.
Clarifies that this law does not lower benefit amounts or stop people from joining the program.

Who It Names or Affects

People who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Arizona
Stores and retailers that sell food to SNAP recipients
The Department of Economic Security

Terms To Know

Waiver: A special permission from the federal government to change standard rules for a state program.
SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which gives money to help people buy food.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill cannot take effect unless the U.S. Department of Agriculture grants a waiver.
If the federal government denies the request, state officials must ask again every year or try other federal options like pilot programs.
The governor vetoed this bill on February 20, 2026, so it is not currently law.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HOUSE - Health & Human Services (Adopted)

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 1

The official amendment file could not be read automatically during the last sync, so only the official amendment metadata is shown right now.

HOUSE - Health & Human Services (Proposed)

Proposed

Plain English: This amendment changes the bill to require state officials to ask for a federal waiver that would allow SNAP recipients in Arizona to buy specific healthy foods while banning sugary drinks, candy, and snacks with little nutritional value.

It requires the Department of Economic Security director to request a special permission (waiver) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture every year until it is granted.
If approved, SNAP recipients could buy specific items like organic milk, vitamins, whole wheat tortillas, and sugar substitutes that are not currently allowed under federal rules.
The amendment adds new state laws to define 'noneligible foods' such as soda, candy, energy drinks, and hot prepared meals, which would be banned from purchase with SNAP benefits if the waiver is granted.
It includes a statement saying the goal of these changes is to help people buy whole, healthy foods while stopping them from buying items that have very little nutrition.

The bill cannot take effect unless the U.S. Department of Agriculture grants the requested waiver.
Some parts of the text are unclear because they show conflicting versions of what should be included in the final law, such as whether to restrict noneligible foods or just list allowed items.

Bill History

2026-02-17 V
Governor vetoed
2026-02-16 House
Transmitted to House
2026-02-16 Senate
Senate third read passed
2026-02-16 Senate
Senate passed
2026-02-16 Senate
Senate first read
2026-02-16 Senate
Transmitted to Senate
2026-02-16 House
House third read passed
2026-02-16 House
House passed
2026-02-12 House
House third read passed
2026-02-11 House
House committee of the whole
2026-02-03 House
House minority caucus
2026-02-03 House
House majority caucus
2026-01-21 House
House second read
2026-01-20 House
House Rules: C&P
2026-01-20 House
House Health & Human Services: DPA
2026-01-20 House
House first read

Official Summary Text

HB2396 - SNAP; allowed purchases; waiver

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2396 - 572R - H Ver

House Engrossed

SNAP; allowed
purchases; waiver

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE BILL 2396

AN
ACT

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

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

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

START_STATUTE
46-232.

Use of
supplemental nutrition assistance benefits; purchases; waiver; definitions

A. The director of the department of
economic security shall request
any waiver from the
united states department of agriculture to
implement this
section that includes the authority to restrict the purchase of noneligible
foods using supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

B. If the waiver is not granted, the
director shall resubmit the request annually and may pursue the united states
department of agriculture pilot or demonstration authority as allowed under
federal law.

C. The department shall provide clear
guidance to supplemental nutrition assistance program recipients and retailers
and allow a reasonable implementation period to ensure compliance with this
section.

D. This section does not reduce
benefit amounts, restrict access to eligible foods or limit participation in
the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

E. For the purposes of this section:

1. "eligible foods" Means
any food item that may be purchased using supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits and includes the following categories:

(
a
) Whole
meats, poultry and fish, including frozen, fresh or canned products.

(
b
) Dairy
products, INCLUDING milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, cream and milk alternatives.

(
c
) Eggs and
egg substitutes.

(
d
) Fruits and
vegetables, including fresh, frozen, dried or canned products without added
sweeteners.

(
e
) Grains and
grain products, including flour, rice, pasta, cereals and tortillas.

(
f
) Cooking
oils and fats.

(
g
) Water
products without added sweeteners or sugar substitutes.

(
h
) One hundred
percent fruit or vegetable juice.

(
i
) Any food
item approved for purchase under the federal women, infants and children food
program.

2. "Noneligible foods"
includes any of the following:

(
a
) Sugar-sweetened
beverages, including soda and energy drinks.

(
b
) Candy and
confectionery products.

(
c
) Snack foods
of minimal nutritional value as defined by the united states department of
agriculture.

(
d
) Prepared
hot foods intended for immediate consumption.
END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.
Legislative findings

A. The
legislature finds that the supplemental nutrition assistance program is
intended to:

1. Promote access to
nutritious food.

2. Support the health and
well-being of recipients.

3. Ensure responsible
stewardship of taxpayer monies.

B. The purpose of section
46-232, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, is to prioritize
access to whole and minimally processed foods while limiting the purchase of
items with minimal nutritional value.