Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 553Introduced by Assembly Member CalozaFebruary 11, 2025 An act to amend Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalFresh.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 553, as amended, Caloza. CalFresh: food access.Existing federal law provides for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county.Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance, including to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, as specified. pursuant to federal law, as specified.This bill would remove, from the above-described requirement, the purchase of hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption. The bill would require the department to engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access. instead require the department to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18919.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.(b) The State Department of Social Services shall seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The department shall engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access.
Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 553Introduced by Assembly Member CalozaFebruary 11, 2025 An act to amend Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalFresh.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 553, as amended, Caloza. CalFresh: food access.Existing federal law provides for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county.Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance, including to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, as specified. pursuant to federal law, as specified.This bill would remove, from the above-described requirement, the purchase of hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption. The bill would require the department to engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access. instead require the department to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2025
Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 553
Introduced by Assembly Member CalozaFebruary 11, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Caloza
February 11, 2025
An act to amend Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalFresh.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 553, as amended, Caloza. CalFresh: food access.
Existing federal law provides for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county.Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance, including to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, as specified. pursuant to federal law, as specified.This bill would remove, from the above-described requirement, the purchase of hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption. The bill would require the department to engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access. instead require the department to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified.
Existing federal law provides for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance, including to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, as specified. pursuant to federal law, as specified.
This bill would remove, from the above-described requirement, the purchase of hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption. The bill would require the department to engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access. instead require the department to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18919.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.(b) The State Department of Social Services shall seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The department shall engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:18919.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.(b) The State Department of Social Services shall seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The department shall engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access.
SECTION 1. Section 18919.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
18919.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.(b) The State Department of Social Services shall seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The department shall engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access.
18919.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.(b) The State Department of Social Services shall seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The department shall engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access.
18919.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.(b) The State Department of Social Services shall seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The department shall engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access.
18919.1. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to maximize food access for all CalFresh recipients. Many of the hungriest Californians who rely on CalFresh to eat face the most significant barriers, including the lack of kitchen facilities or means of preparing and cooking meals with groceries, special dietary needs, or specific foods required for medications, among other factors that strain the ability of traditional groceries to meet their needs. It is further the intent of the Legislature to maximize the dignity and equitable treatment of Californians using CalFresh to purchase food by maximizing food choices.
(b) The State Department of Social Services shall seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to Section 3(k) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The department shall engage in efforts to seek permanent federal reforms for expanding food access.