AB 553 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

CalFresh: food access.

Summary
Existing federal law provides for the 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. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to seek all available federal waivers and approvals necessary to maximize food choices for CalFresh recipients under federal law and guidance, including to purchase hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified. This bill would instead require the department to maximize all available food choices for CalFresh recipients, including, but not limited to, hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption, pursuant to federal law, as specified.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jul 2025
Assembly Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Jul 2025
Signed into Law
Jul 2025
Introduced Feb 11, 2025 Signed Jul 14, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Jul 3, 2025 · Assembly Apr 24, 2025

How they voted

350
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 40
Jul 3, 2025
D Democratic30
29 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican10
6 Yea 4
60% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
9
Committee
9
Amendments
1
Jul 14, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor.
legislature
Jul 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
lower
Jul 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 1932.).
upper
Jun 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
upper
May 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on HUMAN S.
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 1276.)
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 9).
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on HUM. S.
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors