AB 2300 — Connecting MediCAL families to school meals — With the passage of the bill, the California Department of Education will begin to design and implement a computer match to use Medi-Cal participation for enrolling more eligible children for free and reduced price meals. Thanks to all who supported AB 2300! Special thanks to Assembly Member John Laird.
AB 2726 — Healthy Food Purchase Pilot — The bill to move the Healthy Purchase Pilot forward was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. At the core of this effort is the use of the food stamp EBT card to deliver a financial incentive to support produce purchases. Thanks to all who helped in this effort. Special thanks go to Assembly Member Mark Leno. Stay tuned for an up-to-the minute update on the progress of the pilot.
AB 433 — Asset rules, connecting food stamps and MediCAL — no more asset test and a new name! AB 433 requires the California Department of Social Services to develop and propose a new name for the Food Stamp Program! In addition to a name change, California Food Stamps will no longer have an asset limit for eligibility, which will make it possible for more needy families to receive benefits. In a state with high costs of living like California, families need stored assets of more than $2,000 in the case of job loss or emergencies. With the success of AB 433, it is estimated that 32,000 additional households in California will be able to receive benefits to assist them to put more food on the table. Special thanks to Assembly Member Jim Beall and his staff.
SB 1101 — Personal Income contributions to the Emergency Food Program — That is our check-off bill, securing a spot for food banks on the California Tax Form. This brings in money to food banks for food purchase and helps remind Californian's about hunger.
AB 2844 Removing red tape from the Food Stamp Program — As expected, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 2844, the bill to have California join the 48 other states using a simplified reporting system for food stamps. AB 2844 would have moved CalWORKS to 6-month reporting as well. Thanks to all involved in this effort, especially: Assembly Member John Laird and his staff!
AB 1996 Transitional Support bill would have helped increase the accessibility of the food stamp program by restoring benefits to people who have served their time and are now reentering the community from prison. Currently in California only former-offenders who have committed certain types of drug related crimes are subject to a ban of food stamp benefits. This bill would have ended this confusing restriction, provide needed support that would reduce recidivism and would bring in more federal funds to the state of California. Thanks to Assembly Member Sandré Swanson and his staff!
