House Engrossed

nutrition assistance; benefit match; appropriation.

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

2021

HOUSE BILL 2668

AN ACT

Amending title 46, chapter 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 2; appropriating monies; relating to the department of economic security.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

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

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

ARTICLE 2. SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

START_STATUTE46-231. Department of economic security; supplemental nutrition assistance program; produce incentive program; definitions

A. The department of economic security shall:

1. plan, prepare and develop the infrastructure necessary to implement a produce incentive program for supplemental nutrition assistance program 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.

2. subject to available appropriations, provide matching monies of up to $20 per participating SNAP-authorized site per transaction for an enrollee in the supplemental nutrition assistance program to purchase eligible Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables at the participating SNAP-authorized site.

3. conduct research and evaluate the produce incentive program and the impact of the program on purchases made by supplemental nutrition assistance program enrollees and producers of Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables.

B. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Eligible Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables" means any Arizona-grown variety of fresh, canned, dried or frozen whole or cut fruits and vegetables that do not contain added sugars, fats, oils or salt.

2. "SNAP" means the supplemental nutrition assistance program. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Appropriation; department of economic security; produce incentive program; exemption; intent

A. The sum of $1,000,000 is appropriated from the state general fund is fiscal year 2021-2022 to the department of economic security for the produce incentive program for supplemental nutrition assistance program enrollees established pursuant to section 46-231, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.

B. Monies appropriated pursuant to subsection A of this section may not be spent without matching contributions from federal, local or private sources, or any combination of those sources. Matching contributions include monies or in-kind contributions.

C. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.

D. The Legislature intends that the appropriation made in subsection A of this section be considered ongoing funding in subsequent fiscal years.