AB-1402
Social Services

Fresh Start Grants: Personal Income Tax Law: credits.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Fresh Start Grants Program to convert tax credits into immediate grants for CalFresh recipients.
  • Requires county welfare departments to determine eligibility and distribute grants starting January 1, 2027.
  • Creates a continuously appropriated Fresh Start Grants Fund in the State Treasury to finance the program.
  • Reduces existing tax credits by the amount of Fresh Start Grants received to prevent duplicate benefits.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Assembly Member McKinnor's Fresh Start Grants legislation transforms California's approach to providing financial assistance to low-income residents by converting three existing tax credits into direct grants for CalFresh recipients. Beginning January 2027, county welfare departments will calculate and distribute Fresh Start Grants equivalent to the California Earned Income Tax Credit, Young Child Tax Credit, and Foster Youth Tax Credit amounts that recipients would have qualified for under current law.

The bill establishes the continuously appropriated Fresh Start Grants Fund within the State Treasury to finance these grants. The Franchise Tax Board must annually estimate the total tax credits that would be issued in the upcoming year and transfer that amount from the Tax Relief and Refund Account to the Fresh Start Grants Fund. Recipients' tax credits will be reduced by any Fresh Start Grant amounts received to prevent duplicate benefits.

To implement this program, county welfare departments will determine grant eligibility and amounts for CalFresh recipients. The State Department of Social Services and county agencies will share necessary information with the Franchise Tax Board under strict confidentiality requirements. The bill grants the Franchise Tax Board authority to issue regulations and guidance for program administration.

As this change would result in some taxpayers paying higher taxes, the bill requires a two-thirds vote of both legislative houses for passage. While certain local implementation costs are not reimbursable, the Commission on State Mandates may determine that other state-mandated costs qualify for reimbursement to local agencies and school districts.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Tina McKinnor
Tina McKinnorD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Heath Flora
Heath FloraR
California State Assembly Member
Pilar Schiavo
Pilar SchiavoD
California State Assembly Member

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Fresh Start Grants Program to convert tax credits into immediate grants for CalFresh recipients.
  • Requires county welfare departments to determine eligibility and distribute grants starting January 1, 2027.
  • Creates a continuously appropriated Fresh Start Grants Fund in the State Treasury to finance the program.
  • Reduces existing tax credits by the amount of Fresh Start Grants received to prevent duplicate benefits.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Tina McKinnor
Tina McKinnorD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Authors
Heath Flora
Heath FloraR
California State Assembly Member
Pilar Schiavo
Pilar SchiavoD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member McKinnor's Fresh Start Grants legislation transforms California's approach to providing financial assistance to low-income residents by converting three existing tax credits into direct grants for CalFresh recipients. Beginning January 2027, county welfare departments will calculate and distribute Fresh Start Grants equivalent to the California Earned Income Tax Credit, Young Child Tax Credit, and Foster Youth Tax Credit amounts that recipients would have qualified for under current law.

The bill establishes the continuously appropriated Fresh Start Grants Fund within the State Treasury to finance these grants. The Franchise Tax Board must annually estimate the total tax credits that would be issued in the upcoming year and transfer that amount from the Tax Relief and Refund Account to the Fresh Start Grants Fund. Recipients' tax credits will be reduced by any Fresh Start Grant amounts received to prevent duplicate benefits.

To implement this program, county welfare departments will determine grant eligibility and amounts for CalFresh recipients. The State Department of Social Services and county agencies will share necessary information with the Franchise Tax Board under strict confidentiality requirements. The bill grants the Franchise Tax Board authority to issue regulations and guidance for program administration.

As this change would result in some taxpayers paying higher taxes, the bill requires a two-thirds vote of both legislative houses for passage. While certain local implementation costs are not reimbursable, the Commission on State Mandates may determine that other state-mandated costs qualify for reimbursement to local agencies and school districts.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Human Services
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 10 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Alex LeeD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Bill EssayliR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Pilar SchiavoD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Leticia CastilloR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Celeste RodriguezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member