House advances bill aiming to detect SNAP fraud; opponents cite cost and impacts on recipients

The Arizona House advanced Senate Bill 10-71, a measure supporters say will protect SNAP benefits from fraud by directing the Department of Economic Security to use existing crosschecks that identify out-of-state SNAP card purchases. Representative Regina Bliss, speaking for the committee, moved that the bill as amended receive a do-pass recommendation.

Bliss and proponents described the bill as a fraud-prevention and taxpayer-protection measure that would allow DES to cross-reference SNAP purchases made with Arizona-registered debit cards in other states. Representative Bliss summarized the bill as designed “to protect taxpayers, SNAP recipients, and stop fraud.”

Opponents said the bill would be costly and could hurt people who rely on SNAP. Representative Lupe De Los Santos, who previously worked in food-bank policy, said the bill will “cost $66,000,000 every single year to implement,” and said $34,000,000 of that would come from the general fund. De Los Santos added that SNAP benefits are federally funded and argued the state expenditure would not reduce benefit costs for recipients, urging a no vote.

Representative Liguori argued against singling out SNAP when other programs (she referenced ESA) also merit fraud scrutiny. The House adopted a floor amendment offered by Representative Carbone as a clarification and then advanced the bill as amended on a voice vote; the chair announced the ayes had it.

Discussion vs. decision: the floor record captures both debate on the bill’s cost and policy effects and the adoption of a floor amendment that clarified the measure. The committee of the whole recommendation to advance SB 10-71 as amended was approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: SB 10-71 — committee-recommended amendment adopted on the floor; SB 10-71 as amended advanced (voice vote).