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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.
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.
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 House Action
HHS 2/4/26 DP 4-1-2 HHS 2/2/26 DP 7-5-0-0
3rd Read 2/11/26 17-13-0 3rd Read 2/16/26 33-25-2
(S.B. 1334 was substituted for H.B. 2448 on
3rd Read)
Vetoed by the Governor on 2/20/26
Prepared by Senate Research
February 24, 2026
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