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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES57th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session |
House: HHS DPA 7-5-0-0 | Third Read 33-25-2-0 |
HB 2396: SNAP; allowed purchases; waiver
Sponsor: Representative Biasiucci, LD 30
House Engrossed
Overview
Requires the Director of the Department of Economic Security (DES) to request any waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollees to purchase specific food items, including various meats, dairy products, juices, cereals, flours, sugars, tortillas, vitamins, water products, butter and cooking oils.
History
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).
SNAP benefits are able to purchase any food for the household, such as: 1) fruits and vegetables; 2) meat, poultry and fish; 3) dairy products; 4) breads and cereals; 5) other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and 6) seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat (SNAP).
Households cannot use SNAP benefits to buy: 1) beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco; 2) vitamins, medicines and supplements; 3) live animals excluding shellfish, fish removed from water and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store; 4) foods that are hot at the point of sale; and 5) any nonfood items such as pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene items, cosmetics and other household supplies (SNAP).
Provisions
1. Requires the DES Director to request any waiver from the USDA that includes the authority to restrict the purchase of noneligible foods using SNAP benefits. (Sec. 1)
2. Authorizes the DES Director to resubmit the request annually and pursue the USDA's pilot or demonstration authority under federal law if the waiver is not granted. (Sec. 1)
3. Requires DES to provide clear guidance to SNAP recipients and retailers and allow a reasonable implementation period to ensure compliance. (Sec. 1)
4. Clarifies this does not reduce benefit amounts or restrict access to eligible food or limit SNAP participation. (Sec. 1)
5. Defines eligible foods and noneligible foods. (Sec. 1)
6. Contains legislative findings. (Sec. 2)
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Initials AG/LK HB 2396
4/14/2026 Page 0 House Engrossed
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