AB-1049 • 2026

California Food Assistance Program: sponsor deeming rules.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Celeste Rodriguez
Last action: 2026-05-28
Official status: In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about cost reimbursement for local agencies and schools, which was included in the candidate explanation.

California Food Assistance Program: Sponsor Deeming Rules

This bill changes how California's food assistance program treats income and resources for people who are not U.S. citizens or nationals, by removing federal deeming rules.

What This Bill Does

Changes the rules about counting family members' income when deciding if someone can get help from CFAP (California Food Assistance Program).
Makes sure that federal rules about counting family income do not apply to CFAP anymore.
Creates new duties for counties in California to check who is eligible for CFAP.

Who It Names or Affects

People who are not U.S. citizens or nationals applying for food assistance through CFAP.
Counties in California that give out CFAP benefits.

Terms To Know

CalFresh: The name used in California for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps people buy food.
CFAP: California Food Assistance Program, a state program that gives food help to people who can't get SNAP because of their immigration status.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact costs or funding sources for CFAP.
It is unclear if and when this bill will become law after passing through the legislature.

Bill History

2026-05-28 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HUMAN S.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-01-29 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 54. Noes 15. Page 3867.)
2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (January 22).
2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3806.)
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-03-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HUM. S.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1049, as introduced, Celeste Rodriguez.
California Food Assistance Program: sponsor deeming rules.
Existing federal law establishes 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 state law establishes, in addition to CalFresh, 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 sets forth provisions relating to state funding for CFAP.
Under existing federal and state law, in determining the eligibility and amount of aid for a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States under certain public social services programs, the income and resources of the person are deemed to include the
income and resources of any person who has executed an affidavit of support on behalf of the person and the spouse of that person, with certain exemptions.
Existing state law requires that federal deeming rules and exemptions governing SNAP also govern CFAP, with certain exceptions.
Under this bill, federal deeming rules and exemptions governing SNAP would instead not apply to CFAP. By creating new duties for counties relating to CFAP eligibility, 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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF