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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.