SB 57 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public assistance; Department of Human Resources required to request waiver to prohibit the purchase of soda and candy with SNAP benefits, implementation of prohibition provided for

SB 57 requires Alabama's Department of Human Resources to request a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to purchase candy and soda. If approved, the state would ban SNAP recipients from buying these items, with the department required to resubmit the waiver request annually if denied. The bill defines "candy" as foods with sugar as the first ingredient (excluding single-ingredient sugars) and "soda" as carbonated beverages with sugar as a top ingredient (excluding diet drinks). This policy would directly affect Alabama SNAP recipients who currently use benefits for these items, effective October 1, 2026.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 16, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled version, incorporating specific implementation dates and clarifying the roles of the Governor and Department of Revenue. Key changes include setting a minimum implementation date of April 1, 2027, for the waiver to exclude candy and soda from SNAP benefits, and designating the Governor to publish a list of ineligible items rather than the Department of Revenue. The penalty threshold for retailers was also adjusted to allow more than three accidental acceptances before fines apply.

Scope change

The bill's scope was refined to include a specific implementation timeline and clarified the Governor's role in publishing ineligible item lists, while maintaining the core prohibition on purchasing candy and soda with SNAP benefits.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement that the USDA waiver implementation date must be no sooner than April 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the responsibility for publishing the list of ineligible items from the Department of Revenue to the Governor.

ENFORCEMENT

Adjusted the penalty threshold for retailers to apply only after more than three accidental acceptances of ineligible items within a fiscal year.

TECHNICAL

Removed the Department of Revenue's specific duties to coordinate with retailers and provide technical assistance, shifting those responsibilities to the Department of Human Resources.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Ingram motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1355

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report - Adopted Roll Call 1310

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Concurs in Conference Committee Report (Conference Committee on SB57)

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

In Conference Committee

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Lovvorn motion to Accede - Adopted Roll Call 1333 House appoints Ingram, Reynolds and Lawrence

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Gudger motion to Non-Concur and Appoint Conference Committee - Adopted Roll Call 1262

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1285

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1284

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Introduced

Butler 1st Amendment Offered

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1283

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Introduced

Reynolds 1st Amendment Offered

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1282

lower

Apr 8, 2026

Introduced

Ways and Means General Fund Engrossed Substitute Offered (Ways and Means General Fund)

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House (Ways and Means General Fund)

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Ways and Means General Fund)

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 697

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Orr motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 696

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced

Orr 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Orr motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 695

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Orr motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 694

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced

Finance and Taxation General Fund 2nd Amendment Offered (Finance and Taxation General Fund)

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced

Finance and Taxation General Fund 1st Amendment Offered (Finance and Taxation General Fund)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Finance and Taxation General Fund 2nd Amendment (Finance and Taxation General Fund)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced

Finance and Taxation General Fund 1st Amendment (Finance and Taxation General Fund)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Finance and Taxation General Fund)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors