Fresh Start Grants: Personal Income Tax Law: credits.
- 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.
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.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
 Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Alex LeeD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Tina McKinnorD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Bill EssayliR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- 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.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
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.
Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Alex LeeD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Tina McKinnorD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Bill EssayliR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |