Bill Text: CA SB628 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: State Healthy Food Access Policy.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-10-13 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 879, Statutes of 2023. [SB628 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SB628-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  June 29, 2023

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill

No. 628

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Introduced by Senator Hurtado

February 16, 2023

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An act to add Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 18700) to Part 6 of Division 9 of, and to repeal Section 18701 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to food access.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 628, as amended, Hurtado. State Healthy Food Access Policy.

Existing law establishes various food assistance programs, including, among others, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California as CalFresh, under which supplemental nutrition assistance benefits allocated to the state by the federal government are distributed to eligible individuals by each county.

This bill would declare that it is the established policy of the state that every human being has the right to access sufficient affordable and healthy food. The bill would require all relevant state agencies to consider this state policy when revising, adopting, or establishing policies, regulations, and grant criteria when those policies, regulations, and grant criteria are pertinent to the distribution of sufficient affordable and adequate food. The bill would also require, by January 1, 2025, 2026, the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the Department of Food and Agriculture’s Farm Equity Advisor Agriculture and the Department of Conservation, to submit a report to the Legislature relating to food access and recommendations to increase the availability of sufficient affordable and healthy food. food, and to consult with higher education institutions and collect relevant data for purposes of preparing that report.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

(b) The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated hunger for many, particularly for populations who are barred from SNAP due to their immigration status, those that struggle with their mental health, and those who are unhoused. These groups were unable to utilize the many benefits associated with SNAP participation.

(c) The four guideposts in determining food security are availability, stability of supply, access, and use.

(d) Nations and states that have dependable trade relationships and sustainable natural resources are more successful in providing food security.

(e) The world’s population is expected to grow significantly in the coming years and there is growing concern that global crop yields are not increasing at the rate required to support that population growth.

(f) Climate change is already, and is likely to continue, threatening food production and certain aspects of food quality globally, as well as food prices and distribution systems.

(g) Crop yields are predicted to decline because of the combined effects of changes in rainfall, severe weather patterns, increasing competition from weeds, and pest infestations. Livestock and fish production are also projected to decline. Prices are expected to rise in response to declining food production and increases in the price of petroleum, which is used in pesticides and fertilizers and for transporting food.

(h) Adaptation activities are needed to reduce impacts of the anticipated food security challenges.

(i) More than 50 years since the first White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health, the United States has yet to end hunger and is facing an urgent, nutrition-related health crisis, the rising prevalence of diet-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and certain cancers. The consequences of food insecurity and diet-related diseases are significant, far reaching, and disproportionately impact historically underserved communities. Food insecurity and diet-related diseases are largely preventable if we prioritize the health of the nation. Making progress requires collective, sustained action and mobilization across every segment of society.

(j) President Joseph Biden announced a goal of ending hunger and increasing healthy eating and physical activity by 2030 so fewer Americans experience diet-related disease, while reducing related health disparities.

SEC. 2.

 Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 18700) is added to Part 6 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

CHAPTER  9.5. State Healthy Food Access Policy

18700.

 (a) (1) It is hereby declared to be the established policy of the state that every human being has the right to access sufficient affordable and healthy food.

(2) Food insecurity is defined as the occasional or constant lack of access to the food one needs to live a healthy life and the uncertainty of being able to acquire enough food to meet the needs of an individual or household due to insufficient money or other resources.

(b) All relevant state agencies, including, but not limited to, the State Department of Social Services, the Department of Food and Agriculture, the State Department of Health Care Services, the State Department of Education, and the State Department of Public Health, shall consider this state policy when revising, adopting, or establishing policies, regulations, and grant criteria when those policies, regulations, and criteria are pertinent to the distribution of sufficient affordable and adequate food.

(c) This section does not expand any obligation of the state to provide food or nutrition assistance or to require the expenditure of additional resources to develop food infrastructure.

18701.

 (a) By January 1, 2025, 2026, the State Department of Social Services, in consultation with the Department of Food and Agriculture’s Farm Equity Advisor Agriculture and the Department of Conservation, shall submit a report to the Legislature that addresses all of the following:

(1) The number of people who currently use food and nutrition assistance programs and the number of people predicted to use food and nutrition assistance programs in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, and 50 years.

(2) The barriers to accessing food and food assistance food, food assistance, and nutrition assistance programs currently faced by low-income Californians, including unique barriers faced by individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color and by families with infants and children.

(3) The steps the state is taking to address any barriers to accessing food and maximizing state and federal food assistance programs.

(4) The steps the state is taking to increase acceptance of food and nutrition assistance benefits at farmers’ markets.

(5) The steps the state is taking to distribute information about existing funds and resources for healthy food programs and projects, particularly in underserved communities.

(4)

(6) The steps the state can take to decrease the cost of food food, now and in the future.

(5)

(7) The number of people that agricultural enterprises in California feed, both inside and outside of the state.

(6)

(8) The predominant diet trends regarding consumption.

(7)

(9) The anticipated impact changing water availability and needs, changing weather, and changing climate patterns will have on the state’s ability to ensure people have access to sufficient, affordable, culturally appropriate, and adequate appropriate food for a healthy diet.

(8)

(10) An identification of the resource demands of foods grown in California and that are the most adaptable to the changing climate.

(9)

(11) The department’s recommendations on all of the following:

(A) How local, regional, and state governments can remove barriers to adequate, nutritious food choices, including the inequitable access to food due to systemic racism, and ensure that a vibrant and sustainable food system is available across all communities statewide, including to fully maximize federal nutrition programs and identify where state programs are needed to fill gaps in the federal food safety net to ensure food security for every Californian.

(B) How to mitigate any anticipated negative impacts to the food supply from changing water needs, changing weather, and changing climate patterns.

(C) The feasibility and necessity of shifting land use to address the impact of changing water needs, changing weather, and changing climate patterns.

(D) Methods to promote public and private funding and resources for healthy food programs and projects, and outreach for current and future food and nutrition assistance program participation.

(E)  How to increase healthy food accessibility through new and existing grocery stores, corner stores, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and other vendors.

(D)

(F) Any other topic related to increasing the availability of sufficient affordable and healthy food.

(b) The departments specified in subdivision (a) shall consult with higher education institutions and collect relevant data for purposes of preparing the report required by this section.

(b)

(c) (1)  A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(2) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2029. 2030.