The Arizona State Senate is considering a bill that would prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from using their benefits to purchase soda. House Bill 2165 (H.B. 2165) directs the state’s Department of Economic Security (DES) to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement the restriction.
The measure, which has already passed in the Arizona House of Representatives by a vote of 32-27-1, would require the DES Director to request the waiver. If granted, the purchase of carbonated beverages containing more than one gram of added sugar or artificial sweeteners would be banned for SNAP recipients. If the waiver is denied, the bill mandates that Arizona reapply annually until it is approved.
SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federally funded initiative that assists low-income households in purchasing groceries. The program currently allows for the purchase of a variety of food products, including bread, meat, dairy, and infant formula, but excludes items such as alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, and non-food goods.
Supporters of the bill argue that it promotes healthier choices for low-income families and ensures that taxpayer-funded benefits are used for nutritious food. Critics, however, contend that the restriction unfairly targets SNAP recipients and could create logistical challenges in enforcing the ban.
The bill was assigned to the Senate’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee for further consideration. If passed and signed into law, the restriction would take effect following the USDA’s approval of the waiver.
The financial impact of the legislation is expected to be minimal, as no additional costs to the state’s General Fund have been identified. The debate over the bill is expected to continue as lawmakers weigh the balance between nutritional policy and personal choice.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
On Tuesday, House Democrats took to the House floor to recognize their invited families with disabilities to push the passage of HB2816, a bill to provide funding for the Department of Economic Security (DES). The agency runs out of funds in May.
The bill from Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez appropriates $122.3 million in state general funds and nearly $403 million in developmental disabilities Medicaid expenditure authority funds to the DES for developmental disabilities program expenses.
House Democrats are shenanigating to try and bring forward for a floor vote Assistant Leader Nancy Gutierrez’s HB2816 to provide the supplemental funding to keep the program for developmentally disabled children and adults, and paid parental caregivers. Rather than support a… pic.twitter.com/lJ1VHS0mRC
HB2816 did not make it past introduction. However, that didn’t stop House Democrats from attempting to bypass regular processes to get it heard on the floor on Tuesday.
“Republicans are blocking needed supplemental funds to keep the program going past May,” said Arizona House Democrats.
At the risk of getting gaveled down if she mentions developmental disability funding or her bill to save the families who need it, Assistant Democratic Leader Nancy Gutierrez artfully argues against the Republican countermove to block her motion to bring her HB2816 to a floor… https://t.co/52V2zpnkJ1pic.twitter.com/nsBByuiyHe
House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos accused House Republicans of being against funding children’s disability services.
“Arizona House Republicans just KILLED the bill to fund lifesaving disability services for children with Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental disabilities. All while heartbroken families watched from the gallery,” said De Los Santos.
BREAKING: Arizona House Republicans just KILLED the bill to fund lifesaving disability services for children with Down syndrome, autism, and other developmental disabilities. All while heartbroken families watched from the gallery. pic.twitter.com/dD0BtYCLJA
House Republicans said Governor Katie Hobbs’ mismanagement was to blame for the budget shortfall and constricted timeline. Majority Leader Michael Carbone alleged to ABC15 that Hobbs had stretched disability services beyond their capabilities without the legislature’s consent.
“She expanded the scope and raised rates, all without the consent of the legislature of the necessary funding to meet her policy changes, and it now threatens the viability of the entire program,” said Carbone.
This wouldn’t be the only area of alleged mismanagement by Hobbs. House leaders addressed the pending shutdown of the Department of Child Safety’s Congregate Care program, which Speaker Steve Montenegro attributed to poor budgeting by Hobbs.
“The governor spends beyond her budget. She waits until it fails, and then she declares an emergency. In January, we were told by the governor’s staff that they needed supplemental funding for DCS,” said House Speaker Steve Montenegro in Monday’s press conference.
Hobbs’ spokesman, Christian Slater, said Republican lawmakers were “lying” about the governor’s budget handling. Slater accused Republicans of attempting 50 percent cuts to the Department of Developmental Disabilities.
“Governor Hobbs produced a balanced budget proposal that secures the border, raises pay for State Troopers and firefighters, combats Veterans homelessness and protects Arizonans with autism, cerebral palsy, and Down Syndrome,” said Slater. “Instead of showing Arizonans a budget plan of their own, Republican lawmakers have gone to the press to lie about the Governor’s budget, refused to enter negotiations, and are holding kids in foster care and Arizonans with disabilities hostage to their political games.”
NEW: Republican lawmakers are lying to their constituents instead of negotiating a budget. Today, we called on them to pass the Governor’s budget. And if they don’t like that, then they need to show Arizonans their plan. pic.twitter.com/KhFzrNlMS0
If the Hobbs administration has proven itself to be uniquely skilled at anything over the past two years, it’s incompetence and negligence. But now, Arizona’s governor has taken the next step toward outright fraud.
As a part of her recent budget proposal, Hobbs has asked for a supplemental appropriation to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to cover a shortfall in the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Without the additional funding, the DDD could run out of money by May, affecting many people under a program that provides services to Arizonans with disabilities.
The problem stems from a COVID-era program funded entirely by the federal government that would pay parents who operate as caregivers for their children with disabilities—the Parents as Paid Caregivers program. The program was intended to be temporary, but Hobbs received approval from the federal government in February 2024 to make it permanent.
That approval came with a catch. Beginning on April 1, the State of Arizona would have to cover 32% of the costs, which Hobbs attempted to get funding for in last year’s budget. Her proposal was not approved by the legislature, which she mutually agreed to as part of the budget process. But she continued funding the program anyway—likely believing that she would be able to flip the legislature in November’s election or bully lawmakers into giving her the money. She failed on both counts and now has created a shortfall in the DDD program that has exceeded $100 million…
Low-income Arizona families can get some relief this summer on their grocery bill, thanks to a federal program organized by the state.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and Department of Economic Security (DES) are offering a federal summer grocery benefits program, “SUN Bucks,” to provide grocery money to low-income households.
These households may receive $120 per eligible child to purchase groceries.
DES began distributing funds earlier this week to nearly 288,000 children according to a press release. These children were receiving Nutrition and/or Cash Assistance benefits.
The agencies estimate about 600,000 children will benefit from SUN Bucks this summer. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne said that the department wanted to ensure continued health and development of students over the summer.
“We are working with the USDA and DES to bring this federal grocery benefits program to Arizona, which is projected to provide additional assistance to over 600,000 students who might not otherwise have the meals they need this summer,” said Horne.
SUN Bucks may be used at an in-person or online store that accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. These funds must be used within 122 days from the day the benefits are added to the account. Lost or stolen benefits can’t be replaced.
SUN Bucks may be used for fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, and fish; dairy products; breads and cereals; snack foods and non-alcoholic drinks. They may not be used for hot foods, pet foods, cleaning or household supplies, personal hygiene items, or medicine.
Eligible families include those participating in the National School Lunch, Breakfast, or Head Start Programs; those who are eligible to receive free or reduced lunches; and those who have received Nutrition, Cash and/or Medical Assistance from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024, may receive SUN Bucks assistance. Medical Assistance recipients must be below 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
Those children not enrolled in a National School Lunch Program participating school must be 6 to 16 years of age between last July and the end of this June, and have participated in one of the following: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid assistance with a reported household income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, Migrant Education Program, and foster child.
SUN Bucks go onto the same Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards where families normally receive their other benefits. Those families without an EBT card will receive a new one next month.
ADE also plans to launch a new application for families to submit a free or reduced-price meal application or alternative income form with their child’s eligible school, which must be on the National School Lunch Program roster.
For further questions, the SUN Bucks hotline is 833-648-4406.
SUN Bucks, through the USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids, are also offered in conjunction with SUN Meals from local meal sites or SUN Meals To-Go. SUN Meals are available to children aged 18 and under with no application or other information needed.
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