Food assistance: disasters: public utilities.
- Requires utilities to share data with state agencies to maximize disaster food assistance benefits.
- Mandates utilities to establish dedicated contacts and data-sharing agreements with Social Services.
- Requires Social Services to submit a report by December 2026 on maximizing federal food assistance.
- Creates new requirements for utilities to support food assistance without state reimbursement.
Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez's proposal to enhance California's disaster food assistance programs centers on establishing new data sharing requirements between public utilities and state agencies. The legislation directs the State Department of Social Services to maximize federal nutrition assistance during disasters by obtaining utility data to facilitate automated mass replacement of benefits under programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children.
The bill creates specific obligations for California utilities, requiring them to respond promptly to data requests from the Department of Social Services and maintain dedicated points of contact for coordination. Utilities must establish formal data sharing agreements and memoranda of understanding to support this information exchange. The Public Utilities Commission would provide technical assistance to the Department for implementation and reporting purposes.
Under the measure, the Department of Social Services must submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature by December 31, 2026, examining additional ways to maximize federal food assistance during declared disasters and public health emergencies. The report would also identify any oversight mechanisms or actions needed to fully achieve the legislation's objectives. This reporting requirement would sunset on January 1, 2030. While the bill creates new duties for local publicly owned utilities, it specifies that no state reimbursement is required, as local agencies retain authority to levy fees sufficient to cover associated costs.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
 Jacqui IrwinD Assembly Member | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Ash KalraD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Phillip ChenR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Tasha Boerner HorvathD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Cottie Petrie-NorrisD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Requires utilities to share data with state agencies to maximize disaster food assistance benefits.
- Mandates utilities to establish dedicated contacts and data-sharing agreements with Social Services.
- Requires Social Services to submit a report by December 2026 on maximizing federal food assistance.
- Creates new requirements for utilities to support food assistance without state reimbursement.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez's proposal to enhance California's disaster food assistance programs centers on establishing new data sharing requirements between public utilities and state agencies. The legislation directs the State Department of Social Services to maximize federal nutrition assistance during disasters by obtaining utility data to facilitate automated mass replacement of benefits under programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children.
The bill creates specific obligations for California utilities, requiring them to respond promptly to data requests from the Department of Social Services and maintain dedicated points of contact for coordination. Utilities must establish formal data sharing agreements and memoranda of understanding to support this information exchange. The Public Utilities Commission would provide technical assistance to the Department for implementation and reporting purposes.
Under the measure, the Department of Social Services must submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature by December 31, 2026, examining additional ways to maximize federal food assistance during declared disasters and public health emergencies. The report would also identify any oversight mechanisms or actions needed to fully achieve the legislation's objectives. This reporting requirement would sunset on January 1, 2030. While the bill creates new duties for local publicly owned utilities, it specifies that no state reimbursement is required, as local agencies retain authority to levy fees sufficient to cover associated costs.
Jacqui IrwinD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Ash KalraD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Phillip ChenR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Tasha Boerner HorvathD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |