Official Summary Text
HB2448 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet
Assigned to
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VETOED
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session
VETOED
FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1334/H.B. 2448
SNAP; work
requirement waivers; exemptions
Purpose
Prohibits the Department of Economic Security (DES) from seeking,
applying for, accepting or renewing any waiver of work requirement under the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for able-bodied adults without dependents
unless it is required by federal law or authorized by state law. Prohibits DES
from exercising the option to provide exemptions from the SNAP work requirement
unless authorized by state law.
Background
SNAP is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income
families to supplement their grocery budget and help the family afford
nutritious food. To be eligible for SNAP benefits, an applicant must meet
specific age, household, employment and income requirements (
USDA
).
General SNAP work requirements apply to applicants between 16 and 59
years old and include: 1) registering for work; 2) participating in SNAP
employment and training or workfare, if assigned by DES; 3) accepting a
suitable job if offered; and 4) not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing work
hours below 30 hours a week without a good reason. To be exempted from these
requirements, an applicant must be: 1) already working at least 30 hours a week
or earning wages at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30
hours; 2) meeting work requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families or the unemployment compensation program; 3) taking care of either a
child under six years old or an incapacitated person; 4) unable to work due to
a physical or mental limitation; 5) participating regularly in an alcohol or drug
treatment program; or 6) studying in a school or training program at least
half-time.
An applicant between 18 and 64 years old that can work and has no
dependents may need to meet the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD)
work requirement in addition to the general work requirements. An applicant can
meet the ABAWD work requirement by: 1) working at least 80 hours a month,
including volunteer work; 2) participating in a federal, state or local work
program, including SNAP employment and training, at least 80 hours a month;
3) participating in a combination of work and work program hours for a total of
at least 80 hours a month; or 4) participating in workfare for the number of
DES-assigned hours each month. Under federal law, ABAWDs who do not meet these
requirements are generally limited to receiving SNAP benefits for no more than three
months in a 36-month period. To be exempt from the ABAWD work requirement, an
applicant must be pregnant, live with a household member under 14 years old,
qualify for an exemption from the general SNAP work requirements, or meet
applicable federal definitions for tribal and Native populations (
USDA
;
USDA
).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact
to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1.
Prohibits
DES from seeking, applying for, accepting or renewing any waiver of work
requirement under SNAP for able-bodied adults without dependents unless it is:
a)
required by federal law; or
b)
authorized
by state law.
2.
Prohibits DES from exercising the state's option to provide exemptions
from the SNAP work requirement unless authorized by state law.
3.
Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Governor's
Veto Message
The Governor
indicates in her
veto
message
that DES has already taken steps to
improve the accuracy of SNAP benefit determinations and that SB 1334 would
duplicate these efforts and disrupt agency operations. The Governor further
states that SB 1334 imposes unfunded mandates without providing funding for
implementation or system modernization.
Senate Action
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House
Action
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3
rd
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rd
Read��������� 2/16/26����� �������������� 33-25-2
(S.B. 1334 was substituted for H.B.
2448 on
3
rd
Read)
Vetoed by the
Governor on 2/20/26
Prepared by Senate Research
February 24, 2026
MM/hk
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
HB2448 - 572R - H Ver
House Engrossed
SNAP; work
requirement waivers; exemptions
State of Arizona
House of Representatives
Fifty-seventh Legislature
Second Regular Session
2026
HOUSE BILL 2448
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.
Department of economic security; supplemental nutrition
assistance program; work requirement waivers; discretionary exemption
prohibition
A. The department of economic
security may not seek, apply for, accept or renew any waiver of work
requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents pursuant to 7
United States Code section 2015(
o
)(4) unless:
1. It is required by federal law.
2. It is authorized by state law.
B. The department of economic
security may not exercise this state's option to provide any exemptions from
the work requirement under 7 United States Code section 2015(
o
)(6)(f) unless authorized by state law.
END_STATUTE