WeVote
Log In

Bill

JB

Bill

AB 2309

CalFresh Protection Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jasmeet Bains

Provides a state-funded backstop to continue CalFresh benefits during federal funding lapses, using General Fund money and ensuring payments at the standard monthly level until fed

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
#calfreshprotectionact
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 2309

Summary of AB 2309 (CalFresh Protection Act)

Jurisdiction: California
Session: 2025-2026
Introduced: February 19, 2026 by Assembly Member Bains

Main purpose and intent

  • AB 2309 establishes a state-funded backstop to continue CalFresh (SNAP) benefits in the event of a federal funding lapse that prevents the federal government from providing full monthly CalFresh benefits.
  • The bill aims to prevent hunger and provide continuity of benefits for current CalFresh recipients during federal funding gaps, including during or after a federal government shutdown.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Definition of federal funding lapse

    • A “federal funding lapse” is any period during which the federal government fails to appropriate enough funds for the USDA to cover the full monthly CalFresh (SNAP) allotments for California.

  2. State-funded backstop for benefits

    • In the event of a federal funding lapse that results in withholding, suspension, or delay of federally funded CalFresh benefits, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) must use state funds to ensure that CalFresh benefits continue to be issued to existing recipients.
    • Benefits would be provided at the same monthly allotment level that recipients would have received if federal funding were uninterrupted.

  3. Declaration and appropriation

    • The Director of Social Services must declare a federal funding lapse when the lapse meets the defined criteria.
    • Upon declaration, an amount necessary to implement the provisions is continuously appropriated from the General Fund, without regard to fiscal years, to the CDSS. This is a continuous appropriation for the duration of the lapse or up to three months, whichever is shorter.

  4. Accounting and reimbursement

    • The CDSS must maintain distinct accounting records for all state funds expended under this act.
    • When federal funding is restored and sufficient to cover full SNAP benefits again, the department must promptly pursue reimbursement from the federal government for the state funds expended during the lapse.

  5. Immediate effectiveness

    • This act is designated as an urgency statute, taking effect immediately upon enactment.

  6. Scope and intent statements

    • Legislative findings emphasize CalFresh as a critical anti-hunger program and reference a recent federal shutdown to justify a state backstop to ensure continued access to benefits during funding gaps.
    • The act is intended to prevent mass hunger and economic disruption resulting from federal funding shortfalls.

Who/what is affected

  • Directly affected: CalFresh recipients in California who would continue to receive monthly benefits during a federal funding lapse.
  • Administratively affected: California Department of Social Services (CDSS), which would administer the state-funded backstop, declare lapses, maintain separate accounting for these funds, and seek reimbursement when federal funds are restored.
  • Fund source: General Fund, with a continuous appropriation for the duration of the lapse, up to three months.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Declaration timing: The Director of Social Services must declare a federal funding lapse when the lapse meets the defined criteria.
  • Funding duration: State funding to backstop benefits lasts for the duration of the federal lapse or up to three months, whichever is shorter.
  • Post-lapse actions: Upon restoration of federal funding, reimbursement from the federal government for state expenditures is required.
  • Legislative status: As of the latest action, the bill passed a committee with a 5-0 vote and was re-referred to the Appropriations Committee; subsequent action indicates a move toward final passage in 2026.

Notable details

  • Co-sponsor: Jasmeet Bains
  • The bill text characterizes CalFresh as the first line of defense against hunger and cites potential disruption from federal funding gaps, including a 2025 federal government shutdown, to support the need for a backstop.
  • The bill designates the emergency funding mechanism as urgent, with immediate effect upon enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.