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    AB-936
    Agriculture & Food

    CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Program.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    1
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a permanent program providing bonus CalFresh benefits for fruit and vegetable purchases.
    • Requires retailers to integrate supplemental benefits into their existing payment systems.
    • Creates a grant fund to help small retailers implement the program technology.
    • Mandates quarterly public reporting of program usage and benefit distribution data.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Lee's proposal to establish a permanent CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Program would transform California's existing pilot project into an ongoing initiative within the state's electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system. The program enables CalFresh recipients to earn additional benefits when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, which can be redeemed at authorized retailers including grocery stores, farmers' markets, and farm stands.

    The legislation creates a dedicated grant fund, supported by state, federal, and other sources, to implement the supplemental benefits mechanism across retail settings. Under the program's funding structure, the Department of Social Services must first cover administrative costs and maintain existing benefit levels before allocating remaining funds between smaller retailers (those with 50 or fewer locations or annual CalFresh redemptions under $50 million) and larger retail operations. Smaller retailers may receive up to $1 million annually to support required technological upgrades, while larger retailers must fund their own system modifications.

    The Department must evaluate the 2023-2025 pilot phase and develop recommendations for transitioning to direct state management without intermediary grantees. The bill requires quarterly public reporting of program metrics, including household participation rates and benefit utilization across retailer categories. While supplemental benefits have no expiration date, they are not considered entitlement benefits and remain contingent on annual budget appropriations.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Read first time. To print.
    Assembly Floor
    Read first time. To print.
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 16 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    AB-3229
    California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project: report.
    February 2024
    Passed
    View Bill
    AB-1968
    CalFresh: supplemental nutrition assistance for senior citizens.
    January 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    AB-928
    CalFresh Data Dashboard: students.
    February 2023
    Passed
    View Bill
    AB-605
    CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Expansion Program.
    February 2023
    Failed
    View Bill
    CalFresh.
    February 2022
    Failed
    View Bill
    Student nutrition: CalFresh: student eligibility: Federal Application for Student Aid data.
    February 2022
    Passed
    View Bill
    Postsecondary education: cost of attendance: fiscal matters.
    February 2022
    Failed
    View Bill
    California Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Expansion Program.
    February 2022
    Failed
    View Bill
    CalFresh for College Students Act.
    February 2021
    Passed
    View Bill
    CalFresh.
    February 2021
    Passed
    View Bill
    Showing 10 of 26 items
    Page 1 of 3

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Alex Lee
    Alex LeeD
    California State Assembly Member
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    March 25, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a permanent program providing bonus CalFresh benefits for fruit and vegetable purchases.
    • Requires retailers to integrate supplemental benefits into their existing payment systems.
    • Creates a grant fund to help small retailers implement the program technology.
    • Mandates quarterly public reporting of program usage and benefit distribution data.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Alex Lee
    Alex LeeD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Lee's proposal to establish a permanent CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Program would transform California's existing pilot project into an ongoing initiative within the state's electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system. The program enables CalFresh recipients to earn additional benefits when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, which can be redeemed at authorized retailers including grocery stores, farmers' markets, and farm stands.

    The legislation creates a dedicated grant fund, supported by state, federal, and other sources, to implement the supplemental benefits mechanism across retail settings. Under the program's funding structure, the Department of Social Services must first cover administrative costs and maintain existing benefit levels before allocating remaining funds between smaller retailers (those with 50 or fewer locations or annual CalFresh redemptions under $50 million) and larger retail operations. Smaller retailers may receive up to $1 million annually to support required technological upgrades, while larger retailers must fund their own system modifications.

    The Department must evaluate the 2023-2025 pilot phase and develop recommendations for transitioning to direct state management without intermediary grantees. The bill requires quarterly public reporting of program metrics, including household participation rates and benefit utilization across retailer categories. While supplemental benefits have no expiration date, they are not considered entitlement benefits and remain contingent on annual budget appropriations.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/19/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    Read first time. To print.
    Assembly Floor
    Read first time. To print.
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    March 25, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Human Services Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 16 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Alex LeeD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    AB-3229
    California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project: report.
    February 2024
    Passed
    View Bill
    AB-1968
    CalFresh: supplemental nutrition assistance for senior citizens.
    January 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    AB-928
    CalFresh Data Dashboard: students.
    February 2023
    Passed
    View Bill
    AB-605
    CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Expansion Program.
    February 2023
    Failed
    View Bill
    CalFresh.
    February 2022
    Failed
    View Bill
    Student nutrition: CalFresh: student eligibility: Federal Application for Student Aid data.
    February 2022
    Passed
    View Bill
    Postsecondary education: cost of attendance: fiscal matters.
    February 2022
    Failed
    View Bill
    California Fruit and Vegetable Supplemental Benefits Expansion Program.
    February 2022
    Failed
    View Bill
    CalFresh for College Students Act.
    February 2021
    Passed
    View Bill
    CalFresh.
    February 2021
    Passed
    View Bill
    Showing 10 of 26 items
    Page 1 of 3