SNAP LEGISLATION

  • HB 2224: SUPPORT – HB 2224 establishes an ongoing fund for the Double Up Food Bucks program, expanding SNAP recipients’ access to nutrient-dense foods while supporting Arizona’s local food economy. Food Center clients have identified diversified food access as a top priority for multiple years in a row, and Double Up Food Bucks has a strong track record of meeting this need.
  • HB 2579: SUPPORT– A child’s ability to eat should never determine their opportunity to succeed – yet we know it often does. Children are among the largest populations served by FFFC, and northern Arizona experiences higher rates of childhood food insecurity than both state and national averages.  HB 2579 ensures that every child in Arizona who needs a meal receives one, at no cost, representing a straightforward, evidence-based investment in children, families, and educational outcomes.
  • HB 2683: SUPPORT– The November 2025 government shutdown underscored a clear truth: access to food should never be used as leverage. HB 2683 creates an Emergency Food Assistance Fund in Arizona, allowing the legislature to ensure continuity of food support during future government shutdowns or disruptions.
  • HB 2396: NEUTRAL – Health disparities across northern Arizona are severe, and limited rural food access further exacerbates these challenges. While HB 2396 aims to improve health outcomes, aspects of the bill raise concerns. A statutory list of “eligible items” could enable future restrictions to SNAP by policymakers seeking to weaken or dismantle the program. Additionally, the bill must clearly define “candy” to ensure consistent implementation by DES and retailers, and to prevent unintended restrictions on non-candy food items. If amended to better reflect the realities and needs of northern Arizona, FFFC would support lawmakers’ efforts to improve community health, particularly for households experiencing food insecurity. In alignment with this commitment, FFFC has pledged to significantly reduce the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages by 2030.
  • HB 2442: OPPOSE – While employment is an important factor in reducing food insecurity, HB 2442 does not effectively address existing barriers. Arizona already operates a SNAP Employment & Training program, and its challenges are not rooted in participation requirements. Instead, improvements should focus on:
    • Streamlining and updating requirements for organizations to participate as providers.
    • Clearly communicating program availability and benefits during the DES interview process.
    • Ensuring adequate and transparent funding so that sufficient vendors can participate statewide.
  • HB2797: OPPOSE – FFFC supports modernizing public assistance systems, including SNAP, but HB 2797 does not adequately address the challenges faced by DES or participants. A truly effective solution must:
    • Include dedicated funding to enable DES to procure and maintain accurate, efficient, and modern software systems.
    • Eliminate unnecessary burdens on individuals to prove non-employment through work record verification.
    • Clearly outline safeguards and procedures when systems fail, rather than placing the burden on applicants.

HOUSING LEGISLATION

  • HB 2533: SUPPORT – Client-centered and collaborative approaches are foundational to FFFC’s Client Advocacy work. HB 2533 elevates lived experience in policymaking and fosters cross-sector collaboration, aligning closely with these core principles.
  • HB 2620: SUPPORT – Older adults and veterans face heightened risks of homelessness. HB 2620 allocates $300,000 to emergency shelters providing targeted services for these populations, strengthening community efforts to support some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

ANTI-POVERTY LEGISLATION

  • HB 2560: SUPPORT– TANF is the only federally funded cash assistance program that offers temporary cash assistance and other support services to low-income families with children. HB 2560 extends eligibility for cash assistance to 60 months and removes unnecessary barriers, ensuring families can access critical financial support during periods of need.

RURAL SUPPORT LEGISLATION

  • HB 2668: SUPPORT – Access to reliable technology remains a significant equity issue across rural Arizona, limiting access to services and remote employment opportunities. HB 2668 invests $5 million to expand and improve broadband infrastructure in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents, enhancing opportunities and accessibility to our rural communities.
  • HB 2893: SUPPORT – Transportation barriers are one of the key food access issues facing our tribal neighbors. HB 2893 provides much-needed support to transportation improvements & enhancements across the Navajo Nation, increasing access to food, employment, and essential services.
  • HB 2888: SUPPORT – Water, like food, is a fundamental human right. HB 2888 creates a dedicated subcategory within the Arizona Water Conservation Grant Fund to expand tribal access to safe drinking water—advancing both food and water equity for tribal communities.