Anti-hunger Legislation

Download the CHAC 2008 Legislative Agenda! Download Legislative Agenda.

Get Involved!
To learn who your legislators are so that you may encourage their support of this important legislation, please click here. You can also get up-to-date information about legislation on our state legislative agenda by going to www.cfpa.net.

To receive legislative alerts from California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), please click here or to learn more about CHAC’s legislative action, email info@hungeraction.net

2007 Accomplishments More than 300 grassroots advocates prepared for Hunger Action Day by attending trainings offered in eight locations around the state. Over 80 legislative visits were scheduled, including one with the Lieutenant Governor.  We were pleased to see a strong delegation from San Diego, and increased participation by youth, who delivered our legislative packet to the Governor.  You can join us this year. 

In 2006, CHAC supported the following bills!

• AB 2384, the “Healthy Purchase Pilot Program” is signed into law! Read the Governor’s message.

•  AB 569, the “Building Blocks to Breakfast” Bill is passed! Read Assemblywoman Garcia’s press release.

• AB 2205, the “Categorical Eligibility” Bill is vetoed.  Read the Governor’s veto message.

• Learn more about CHAC's 2006 State Legislative Agenda or CHAC's Federal Legislative Agenda.

Legislative Accomplishments in 2005

• Won new legislation that allows food stamp recipients to own a reliable car.
• Won new legislation that gives families moving from welfare to work five months of food stamp benefits to help them get back on their feet.
• Successfully defended the Senior Brown Bag program from budget cuts.
• Won new legislation that allows individuals with drug convictions who have served their time to receive food stamp benefits. 
• Supported expansion of “ABAWD” waiver extending food stamp benefits to the jobless in high unemployment areas.
• Won new legislation creating direct certification for school meals for children in households receiving food stamps.

As a membership coalition driven by volunteer work CHAC has accomplished this without any funding for staff or a central office. If you’ve been a part of Hunger Action Day in the past, you know how empowering it is to be a part of CHAC. If you haven’t been with us, we look forward to welcoming you on May 16!

CHAC Sponsors its Own Anti-Hunger Legislation
In 2004, CHAC sponsored its own anti-hunger legislation for the first time with AB 1796 (Leno, D-San Francisco) that was passed by non-partisan support and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger. This bill reversed a lifetime ban on all people with drug felony convictions from ever receiving food stamps. With the passing of AB 1796, people who have served their sentence and have gone through recovery can be eligible to receive food stamps if they need them and otherwise qualify.

• Read the Governor’s Message.
• Learn more about AB1796 fact sheet
• News Coverage about the Bill: Sacramento Bee and San Francisco Chronicle articles.
• Learn how a grassroots organization sponsored long-shot legislation and won! You can download the report prepared by former CHAC Chairperson, Jessica Bartholow, now.