What AB 2299 does
An act to amend Section 18930 of, to amend the heading of Chapter 10.1 (commencing with Section 18930) of Part 6 of Division 9 of, and to repeal Section 18935 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to CalFresh.
Existing federal law establishes 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 federal law limits a participant who is an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) to 3 months of CalFresh benefits in a 3-year period unless that participant has met work participation requirements or is otherwise exempt. Existing federal law authorizes a waiver of that time limit upon the request of a state if it is determined that the area in which the individuals reside has an unemployment rate of over 10% or does not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment for the individuals. Existing state law requires the State Department of Social Services, to the extent permitted by federal law, to annually seek a federal waiver of the time limit. Existing federal law also authorizes a state to provide, in each fiscal year, an exemption from the 3-month time limit for covered individuals, to the extent that the average monthly number of exemptions in effect during a fiscal year does not exceed 8% of the number of covered individuals in the state.
Existing law requires the department to also establish the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to provide nutrition benefits to households that are ineligible for CalFresh benefits solely due to their immigration status, as specified. Existing law requires CFAP benefits to be equivalent to SNAP benefits. Under existing law, operative on the date the department notifies the Legislature that the Statewide Automated Welfare System can perform the necessary automation for this purpose, an individual 55 years of age or older is eligible for CFAP benefits, subject to an appropriation. Existing law requires these provisions only be implemented during any period that specified federal benefits are provided.
This bill, the California Antihunger Response and Employment Training Act of 2026, would expand CFAP eligibility to include individuals ineligible for CalFresh benefits due to the federal time limits placed on ABAWDs regardless of if they are a citizen or noncitizen and individuals ineligible solely due to their humanitarian immigration status. The bill would also repeal the provisions requiring certain federal benefits be provided in order for CFAP to be implemented.
The bill would make related findings and declarations.
To the extent the bill would expand eligibility for county-administered benefits through expansion of the CFAP program, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the amended assembly text, April 6, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Calderon introduced AB 2299 on February 19, 2026, with coauthors Assembly Members Alanis, Boerner, Davies, Jackson, Schiavo, Lee, Solache, and Celeste Rodriguez and Senators Gonzalez, Strickland, and Umberg. The text was amended 1 time, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 26, 2026: 64 ayes, 1 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Human Services, April 14, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 5-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass., 11-0.
- Senate Human Services, June 29, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 5-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 3, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 2299
The Senate Human Services analysis dated June 26, 2026 lists 80 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Assembly Human Services first listed positions on April 11, 2026, the count was 18 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Human Services analysis of June 26, 2026 it was 80 to 0.
In support: Western Center on Law and Poverty (sponsor); Public Interest Law Project (sponsor); Nourish California (sponsor); Grace - End Child Poverty CA (sponsor); Coalition of California Welfare Rights Organization (sponsor); California Immigrant Policy Center (sponsor); California Association of Food Banks (sponsor); Aapis for Civic Empowerment; and 72 more.
Read the Senate Human Services analysis.
What happens next
It is in Senate Appropriations. The last recorded action was on August 13, 2026.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for labor organizations
This is the stage where language still changes. Amendments taken in committee are the ones that reach the Governor, so an organization with a stake in the drafting has a reason to be in that conversation now rather than after the vote.
The labor group at Capitol Axis handles that for labor clients.
Questions about AB 2299
What does AB 2299 do?
This bill, the California Antihunger Response and Employment Training Act of 2026, would expand CFAP eligibility to include individuals ineligible for CalFresh benefits due to the federal time limits placed on ABAWDs regardless of if they are a citizen or noncitizen and individuals ineligible solely due to their humanitarian immigration status. The bill would also repeal the provisions requiring certain federal benefits be provided in order for CFAP to be implemented.
Has AB 2299 passed the California Legislature?
It is in Senate Appropriations. The last recorded action was on August 13, 2026.
Who supports and opposes AB 2299?
The Senate Human Services analysis dated June 26, 2026 lists 80 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include Western Center on Law and Poverty (sponsor); Public Interest Law Project (sponsor); Nourish California (sponsor).
What happens next with AB 2299?
It still has committee and floor votes ahead of it. Amendments taken now are the ones that reach the Governor, so this is the stage where language changes are still possible.