If this bill were to become law, it would update current statutes by appropriating an increased amount of $2,000,000 from the state General Fund for the fiscal year 2026 to the Department of Economic Security (DES) to implement the Produce Incentive Program. This is a significant increase from the previous appropriation of $1,000,000. The bill also includes a provision that exempts this appropriation from lapsing, ensuring that the funds remain available for use in the program without being subject to the usual expiration of appropriations.

The bill modifies the existing framework for the Produce Incentive Program, which allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollees to purchase eligible Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables at various authorized sites. The new language emphasizes the need for DES to develop the necessary infrastructure for the program and conduct research to evaluate its impact. Overall, the bill aims to enhance support for local agriculture and improve access to healthy food options for SNAP participants.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 46-232