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: 2026-01-29
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest text do not provide specific details on the new duties created for counties or how these duties will be implemented.

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, making federal SNAP rules not applicable to CFAP.

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).
Creates new duties for counties in California that manage the CFAP program.

Who It Names or Affects

People who are not U.S. citizens or nationals and need food assistance but cannot get it through CalFresh due to their immigration status.
Counties in California that manage the CFAP program.

Terms To Know

CalFresh: The name for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) in California, which helps people buy food.
CFAP: California Food Assistance Program, a state program that gives food help to those who can't get CalFresh 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 the state will need to reimburse counties for costs related to this program.

Bill History

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

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