Food Insecurity Officer.

Existing law provides for the California Health and Human Services Agency, which includes the State Department of Social Services. Under existing law, the California Health and Human Services Agency is under the direction of an executive officer known as the Secretary of California Health and Human Services, who is appointed by, and holds office at the pleasure of, the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. This bill would create, within the State Department of Social Services, a Food Insecurity Officer, to be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Food Insecurity Officer would be required to report to the Secretary, or the Secretary's designee, of the California Health and Human Services Agency. The bill would require the Food Insecurity Officer to coordinate and address food insecurity throughout state government operations and would authorize the Food Insecurity Officer to engage with state entities for these purposes, as specified. The bill would include among the Food Insecurity Officer's duties advancing the benefit adequacy and enrollment rates of the CalFresh and California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) , as specified. The bill would require the Food Insecurity Officer to consult with relevant state entities and stakeholders with expertise in food insecurity and related best practices in carrying out their duties. The bill would also require the Food Insecurity Officer, beginning January 1, 2026, to submit an annual report to the relevant policy and budget committees of the Legislature that includes, among other things, data on food insecurity, CalFresh and CFAP enrollment rates, and budgetary and policy recommendations, as specified.