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SB 1025

Office of Food Security and Affordability.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Melissa Hurtado

Creates an independent Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate California’s food assistance programs and expand outreach.

Set for hearing April 27.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1025

Summary of SB 1025 (Session 2025–2026) – Office of Food Security and Affordability (California)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes an independent state entity, the Office of Food Security and Affordability, to coordinate and advance California’s food security policies and programs.
  • Aims to improve coordination across CalFresh (SNAP), WIC, school meals, emergency food programs, and other nutrition assistance; increase enrollment; reduce food waste; and strengthen emergency response and equitable access to food.
  • Creates a centralized, non-agency office to serve as a hub for outreach, strategy, research, and program alignment.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Establishment and Structure

  • Creates Title 27 in the Government Code: Office of Food Security and Affordability.
  • The Office is an independent public entity, not part of another state agency, and is insulated from supervision by other agencies.
  • The Director of Food Security and Affordability leads the Office; the Governor appoints, with Senate confirmation. The Director must devote full time to the role.

Authority, Governance, and Staffing

  • The Director administers the Office, may establish staff and administrative subdivisions, adopt procedures, delegate authority, and hire staff (including contracting with professionals) within funding limits.
  • The Office can maintain headquarters and appropriate offices; may solicit and accept grants from federal, state, local, or private sources.
  • The Director serves as the liaison to major state departments (e.g., DSS, Public Health, Education, Department of Agriculture) and other relevant partners.

Core Functions and Collaboration (101003)

  • Coordinate statewide outreach for food insecurity programs; develop new initiatives and campaigns; identify best practices to increase enrollment.
  • Establish and maintain a 24-hour toll-free hunger hotline.
  • Support grant application processes for in-state providers and state agencies; monitor opportunities and assist with applications.
  • Coordinate communication among food banks and emergency food providers.
  • Establish best practices to reduce food waste and increase distribution of fresh produce and protein-rich foods.
  • Collaborate with research entities to monitor gaps in coverage and underserved areas.
  • Develop and update a strategic plan to address identified gaps; oversee public-private partnerships to tackle food insecurity.
  • Coordinate outreach during emergencies and for higher education institutions in collaboration with the federal Office of Postsecondary Education.
  • Target outreach to seniors, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations; include outreach to newly unemployed individuals.

Funding (101005)

  • Creates the Food Security and Affordability Fund in the State Treasury to receive money from federal, state, local, or private sources.
  • With legislative appropriation, funds are to be used to implement and administer the title.

Regulatory Authority and Duration

  • The Director and collaborating agencies may adopt regulations as needed (Administrative Procedure Act framework).

Sunset

  • The title is temporary and would repeal on January 1, 2037, unless otherwise extended.

3) Who Would Be Affected

  • Californians seeking food assistance (e.g., CalFresh/SNAP, WIC, school meals, emergency food programs) could experience improved access and streamlined enrollment.
  • Emergency responders and local food banks would benefit from standardized practices and enhanced coordination.
  • Higher education facilities and students could see coordinated nutrition outreach.
  • State agencies currently administering food programs may coordinate more closely with the Office.
  • Grant-making entities and private partners could engage through new public-private initiatives.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced February 10, 2026; amended and advanced through the Senate.
  • Senate committee workflow: referred to Human Services and Government Organization committees, with progression to Appropriations for consideration; multiple hearings noted in the action history (April 2026).
  • If enacted, the Office would become effective upon passage and would operate under a sunset provision ending January 1, 2037, unless extended or repealed earlier by law.
  • Administrative regulations would be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act.

5) Fiscal Considerations

  • The bill creates a new fund (Food Security and Affordability Fund) to receive and deploy funds for its programs, contingent on legislative appropriation.
  • The bill does not itself authorize a specific ongoing appropriation but enables funding from multiple sources to implement the title.

This summary presents SB 1025 as a policy proposal to create an independent Office of Food Security and Affordability aimed at coordinating California’s food assistance landscape, expanding outreach, reducing barriers to access, and fostering partnerships—with a sunset date of January 1, 2037.

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

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