In Katie Hobbs first two years in office, she has shattered the previous veto record with 216 vetoes. This year, Governor Hobbs has not stopped her roll on Republican legislation, rejecting multiple pieces of conservative legislation.
Governor Hobbs, so far, has vetoed 16 pieces of legislation. This legislation includes SNAP reform, budgetary concerns, voter laws, and other welfare based adjustments. For bills solely related to SNAP reform, Hobbs has already vetoed five since the start of this year.
In terms of SNAP benefits, Hobbs has rejected bills from both Arizona’s State Senate and House:
SB1002: It would have added new verification and reporting requirements for SNAP and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This included removing recipients with $3000+ lottery winnings and requiring more public reporting on possible program violations and investigations. Hobbs said Arizona’s Department of Economic Security was already verifying eligibility carefully, so she viewed the bill as unnecessary.
SB1331: It would have expanded SNAP work-related requirements by requiring many able-bodied recipients under age 60 to participate in employment and training programs, with limited exceptions. People who are enrolled as full time students or are actively rehabbing receive different thresholds. Hobbs rejected it because she said the DES already has eligibility safeguards in place.
SB1334: It would have limited Arizona’s ability to accept SNAP work-requirement waivers for able-bodied adults without dependents unless they met narrow exemptions. Hobbs again said the bill was unnecessary because DES already monitors eligibility and administers the program.
HB2206: It would have required DES to reduce Arizona’s SNAP error rate and ordered a forensic audit, while also imposing a 10% state funding cut to DES if the bill’s target was not met. Hobbs vetoed it, with Arizona’s SNAP error rate at 8.8% at the start of 2026, above the new federal benchmark of 6% or less.
HB2396: It would have required Arizona to acquire a federal waiver to prevent SNAP purchases of certain items such as soda, candy, some snack foods, and prepared hot foods. Hobbs vetoed arguing it would strip SNAP recipients of dignity and economic freedom. The bill says it was aimed at narrowing purchases to a defined list of “eligible foods.”
The rest of the legislation is scattered around various issues that are key to republican voters. Issues such as voter legislation, welfare reform, and immigration.
SB1106 & HB2785: This bill proposed that Arizona conform with the federal tax code and related deductions. Hobbs vetoed it, arguing it disproportionately benefited higher-income taxpayers. These bills are practically the same measure, just on both sides of the legislature.
SB1036: This bill adjusted unemployment insurance requirements and eligibility requirements. This was a crackdown by the GOP on fraud in the unemployment and welfare system. Hobbs vetoed it, citing that it would create delays in benefit delivery and increase administrative burdens for workers and employers.
SB1056: Required expanded reporting on vacant state government positions. Those positions would be eliminated if they had not been filled within the last 150 days. Hobbs noted in her veto letter that she’s already vetoed similar legislation.
HB2796: Addressed eligibility and enrollment verification for Arizona’s Medicaid program (AHCCCS). This is similar to the SNAP benefit reform to find enrollees with new lottery winnings of $3,000 or more and deem them ineligible. It would also require AHCCCS to review death records and reassess the eligibility of any able-bodied adults.
SB1051: This measure would have required hospitals to collect and report data on patients’ immigration status. Hobbs vetoed it, stating that federal law already governs emergency care requirements and eligibility for public programs, and that the bill could create confusion without improving policy outcomes.
HB4115: Proposed new regulations on ballot initiative circulators, including disclosure and operational requirements. This mainly would’ve required petitioners to disclose more information to protect citizens when giving a signature. Hobbs vetoed the bill, stating that it imposed “unrealistic requirements.”
HB2993: Provided funding for legal representation for Arizona Department of Public Safety personnel. Hobbs vetoed saying that there was other, “more reasonable” legislation for about $2 million less.
HB2042: Sought to prohibit solar radiation management. Solar radiation management is a climate change initiative, reflecting sun rays back into space. The bill would also prohibit grants to be provided to developers for these types of projects. Hobbs vetoed the bill, stating it addressed a “non-existent problem.”
SB1439: Authorized a specialty license plate honoring Charlie Kirk. Hobbs vetoed the bill, stating that commemorative measures should remain nonpartisan and broadly supported.
SB1010: Proposed naming a portion of Loop 202 after Charlie Kirk. Hobbs vetoed it, noting that naming decisions are typically handled through established administrative processes rather than legislation.
