SB 1840 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

2026-2027; human services

This bill establishes new Arizona statutes to regulate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by defining fund administration, setting income limits, and mandating specific eligibility review processes. It requires the Department of Economic Security to frequently cross-check recipient data with state agencies like the Department of Revenue and the Department of Corrections, as well as federal databases, to verify income, employment, and residency status. The legislation also mandates quarterly public reporting on fraud investigations and improper payments, while setting a goal to reduce the program's payment error rate to three percent by 2030. To enforce these standards, the bill imposes financial penalties on the department for failing to meet targets and requires an independent audit by the Auditor General to identify causes for errors.

Issues: ✗ Immigration

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 27, 2026 Last action May 4, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly tightens fraud prevention and eligibility rules for Arizona's SNAP program. It mandates stricter data matching with state agencies, introduces new federal data sources for eligibility checks, and establishes a strict timeline to reduce payment errors. Additionally, it adds penalties for departments that fail to meet performance targets and expands fraud investigation triggers for out-of-state spending.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of fraud detection by adding new data sources (fleeing felons, out-of-state transactions) and extends the duration of certain eligibility review requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement to match SNAP data with state lottery and gambling winnings records to identify high-income households.

Added a mandate to review federal 'National Fleeing Felon' data to identify ineligible recipients.

Modified the public posting requirements to include specific metrics on improper payments and out-of-state spending.

Added a drug testing requirement for TANF cash benefit recipients during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement to investigate and potentially terminate benefits for recipients who make purchases exclusively out-of-state over a 90-day period.

Created financial penalties for the department if it fails to meet error rate targets, requiring the department to pay 50% of resulting federal liabilities.

TIMELINE

Set a hard deadline of December 30, 2030, to reduce the SNAP payment error rate to 3% or less.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

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Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor