BILL NUMBER: AB 1182ENROLLED BILL TEXT PASSED THE SENATE SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 22, 2011 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Roger Hernndez (Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Blumenfield, and Lara) FEBRUARY 18, 2011 An act to amend Sections 11155, 11155.1, and 11257 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalWORKs. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1182, Roger Hernndez. CalWORKs eligibility: asset limits: vehicles. Existing federal law provides for the allocation of federal funds through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program to eligible states, with California's version of this program known as the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program. Under the CalWORKs program, each county provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income families and individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria. Existing law imposes limits on the amount of income and personal and real property an individual or family may possess in order to be eligible for aid under the CalWORKs program, including specifying the allowable value of a licensed vehicle retained by an applicant for, or recipient of, that aid. This bill would delete existing requirements for assessing the value of a motor vehicle for purposes of CalWORKs program eligibility. The bill would exclude the value of a licensed motor vehicle from consideration when determining or redetermining CalWORKs eligibility. By increasing the duties of counties administering the CalWORKs program, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law continually appropriates money from the General Fund to pay for a share of aid grant costs under the CalWORKs program. This bill would declare that no appropriation would be made for purposes of the bill pursuant to the provision continuously appropriating funds for the CalWORKs program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 11155 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 11155. (a) Notwithstanding Section 11257, in addition to the personal property or resources permitted by other provisions of this part, and to the extent permitted by federal law, an applicant or recipient for aid under this chapter, including an applicant or recipient under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200), may retain countable resources in an amount equal to the amount permitted under federal law for qualification for nutrition assistance. (b) The county shall determine the value of exempt personal property other than motor vehicles in conformance with methods established under CalFresh. (c) The value of a licensed motor vehicle shall be excluded from consideration as property when determining and redetermining eligibility for applicants and recipients. SEC. 2. Section 11155.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: 11155.1. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 11155 and 11257, the department shall seek any federal approvals necessary to conduct a demonstration program increasing the value of personal property that may be retained by a recipient of aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) to two thousand dollars ($2,000). The increased property limit shall not apply to applicants. (b) This section shall be implemented only if the director executes a declaration, that shall be retained by the director, stating that federal approval for the implementation of this section has been obtained and specifying the duration of that approval. SEC. 3. Section 11257 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, as amended by Section 28 of Chapter 1022 of the Statutes of 2002, is amended to read: 11257. (a) To the extent not inconsistent with Sections 11265.1, 11265.2, 11265.3, and 11004.1, no aid under this chapter shall be granted or paid for any child who has real or personal property, the combined market value reduced by any obligations or debts with respect to this property of which exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000), or for any child or children in one family who have, or whose parents have, or the child or children and parents have, real and personal property the combined market value reduced by any obligations or debts with respect to this property which exceeds one thousand dollars ($1,000). For purposes of this subdivision, real and personal property shall be considered both when actually available and when the applicant or recipient has a legal interest in a liquidated sum and has the legal ability to make that sum available for support and maintenance. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) above, an applicant or recipient may retain the following: (1) Personal or real property owned by him or her, or in combination with any other person, without reference to its value, if it serves to provide the applicant or recipient with a home. If the basic home is a unit in a multiple dwelling, then only that unit shall be exempt. For the purposes of paragraph (1), if an applicant has entered into a marital separation for the purpose of trial or legal separation or dissolution, real property which was the usual home of the applicant shall be exempt for three months following the end of the month in which aid begins. If the recipient was receiving aid when the marital separation occurred, the period of exemption shall be three months following the end of the month in which the separation occurs. To remain exempt following this three-month period, the home must be occupied by the recipient, or be unavailable for use, control, and possession due to legal proceedings affecting a property settlement or sale of the property. (2) In addition to the foregoing, the director may at his or her discretion, and to the extent permitted by federal law, exempt other items of personal property not exempted under this section. SEC. 4. No appropriation pursuant to Section 15200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be made for the purposes of this act. SEC. 5. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.