California 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

AB 1968 — CalFresh: supplemental nutrition assistance for senior citizens.

Last action — In committee: Held under submission.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Existing federal law provides for the federal 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. Under existing law, the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (SSI/SSP) is, pursuant to contract, administered by the federal government and the department. This program provides cash assistance to low-income aged, blind, and disabled persons. Existing law requires the department to also establish the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide nutrition benefits to households that are ineligible for CalFresh benefits solely due to their immigration status, as specified. Existing law requires that CFAP benefits be equivalent to SNAP benefits. Under existing law, operative on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation for this purpose, an individual 55 years of age or older is eligible for CFAP benefits, subject to an appropriation. Existing law generally requires the federal and state laws and regulations governing the SSI/SSP program to also govern the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) . This bill would require, on or before January 1, 2026, and on an annual basis thereafter, the State Department of Social Services to create a system to automatically enroll and to enroll in the CalFresh program and the CFAP qualifying individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of the SSI/SSP and those who meet the eligibility requirements of the CAPI, as specified. The bill would require, commencing January 1, 2026, or after the automatic enrollment process takes effect, whichever is sooner, the department to require county eligibility workers to regularly contact qualifying individuals who meet those requirements to notify them of their estimated potential benefit, including through notice by mail. The bill would also require the department to require county eligibility workers to conduct interviews and assist individuals with applying for those benefits for the purpose of establishing eligibility for benefits. The bill would require the department to collaborate with county agencies to effectuate these provisions, including after the automatic enrollment process takes effect. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2025, to seek any waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture necessary to implement these requirements. By imposing additional duties on counties implementing those programs, the bill would impose a state-mandated local 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 the statutory provisions noted above.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. In committee: Held under submission.

  2. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  3. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  4. Read second time and amended.

  5. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 2).

  6. Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.

  7. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.

  8. Referred to Coms. on HUM. S. and REV. & TAX.

  9. From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.

  10. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 5 Yea · 1 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 5000
Unaffiliated 0100
Republican 0001
Total 5101
% of votes cast 71%14%0%14%
How each member voted (7)
Member Party Vote
Essayli — Nay
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

immigration civil-rights healthcare labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does AB 1968 do?
Existing federal law provides for the federal 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. Under existing law, the Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (SSI/SSP) is, pursuant to contract, administered by the federal government and the department. This program provides cash assistance to low-income aged, blind, and disabled persons. Existing law requires the department to also establish the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide nutrition benefits to households that are ineligible for CalFresh benefits solely due to their immigration status, as specified. Existing law requires that CFAP benefits be equivalent to SNAP benefits. Under existing law, operative on the date that the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation for this purpose, an individual 55 years of age or older is eligible for CFAP benefits, subject to an appropriation. Existing law generally requires the federal and state laws and regulations governing the SSI/SSP program to also govern the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) . This bill would require, on or before January 1, 2026, and on an annual basis thereafter, the State Department of Social Services to create a system to automatically enroll and to enroll in the CalFresh program and the CFAP qualifying individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of the SSI/SSP and those who meet the eligibility requirements of the CAPI, as specified. The bill would require, commencing January 1, 2026, or after the automatic enrollment process takes effect, whichever is sooner, the department to require county eligibility workers to regularly contact qualifying individuals who meet those requirements to notify them of their estimated potential benefit, including through notice by mail. The bill would also require the department to require county eligibility workers to conduct interviews and assist individuals with applying for those benefits for the purpose of establishing eligibility for benefits. The bill would require the department to collaborate with county agencies to effectuate these provisions, including after the automatic enrollment process takes effect. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2025, to seek any waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture necessary to implement these requirements. By imposing additional duties on counties implementing those programs, the bill would impose a state-mandated local 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 the statutory provisions noted above.
Who sponsors AB 1968?
AB 1968 is sponsored by Jackson, Corey A. (Democratic).
What is the current status of AB 1968?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 1968?
Track AB 1968 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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