Bill > HB2107

This bill directs the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) director to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for two specific modifications to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. First, the bill seeks to exclude fast food from SNAP-eligible purchases, defining fast food as mass-produced food designed for commercial resale with an emphasis on quick service. Second, the bill aims to allow SNAP benefits to be used for purchasing vitamins. If the USDA grants the waiver, the DES director would be required to implement these changes, prohibiting fast food purchases and permitting vitamin purchases with SNAP benefits. If the initial waiver request is denied, the bill mandates that the DES director continue to submit waiver requests annually until the desired modifications are approved. This proposed legislation represents an effort to influence SNAP beneficiaries' food choices by restricting certain types of prepared food purchases while expanding the program's coverage to include nutritional supplements.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83731