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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
SNAP; prohibited purchases; waiver
Purpose
Requires the Director of the Department of Economic Security (Director) to request a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to exclude soda from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and, if the waiver is granted, to prohibit SNAP enrollees from purchasing soda with SNAP benefits.
Background
SNAP is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income
families to supplement their grocery budget and assist the family in affording
nutritious food. Nutrition Assistance, formerly known as The Food Stamp
Program, is Arizona’s program under SNAP. Nutrition Assistance provides
eligible households with monthly benefits that may be used to purchase
nutritious food. SNAP benefits allow members to purchase specific items
including:
1) breads and cereals; 2) meats, fish, poultry and dairy products; and 3)
infant formula and diabetic foods. SNAP benefits exclude the purchase of
certain items such as: 1) alcoholic beverages;
2) cigarettes or tobacco; 3) vitamins and minerals; and 4) non-food items (USDA;
DES).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the Director to:
a) request a waiver from the USDA to exclude soda from SNAP; and
b) if the waiver is granted, prohibit SNAP enrollees from purchasing soda with SNAP benefits.
2. Stipulates that, if the waiver is not granted, the Director must request a waiver annually until a waver is granted.
3. Defines soda as a carbonated beverage containing more than one gram of added sugar or any artificial sweetener.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HHS 2/17/25 DPA 7-5-0-0
3rd Read 2/26/25 32-27-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2025
MM/AO/slp