Bill Text: CA AB537 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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

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Bill Title: Farmers' markets: electronic benefit transfers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-09-29 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 435, Statutes of 2010. [AB537 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB537-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 537	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 30, 2010
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 28, 2010
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JANUARY 25, 2010
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 23, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 1, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Arambula
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Caballero and Solorio)

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act to add Section 10072.1 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to public benefits.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 537, as amended, Arambula. Farmers' markets: electronic benefit
transfers.
   Existing law provides for the establishment of a statewide
electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system for the purpose of providing
financial and food assistance benefits to needy Californians.
   This bill would require, with certain exceptions, a flea market,
farmers' market, or certified farmers' market that does not have an
EBT system in place by January 1, 2012, to designate or assign an
interested Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)-authorized organization
to operate an EBT acceptance system in the market, as specified. The
bill would require the State Department of Social Services to
consider and solicit input from the market prior to making a
designation or assignment authorized under the bill, to avoid
potential conflicts, as specified.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 10072.1 is added to the Welfare and
Institutions Code, to read:
   10072.1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares that flea
markets, farmers' markets, and certified farmers' markets are
important sources of low-cost produce for Californians in need of
food assistance.
   (b) (1) If by January 1, 2012, a market described in subdivision
(a) does not have a system in place for its produce sellers to accept
electronic benefit transfer (EBT) for purchases, the State
Department of Social Services  , to the extent and manner allowed
by federal law and regulation,  may designate or assign an
interested Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)-authorized organization
to operate an EBT acceptance system in the market on behalf of the
market's produce sellers. The market shall allow and accommodate the
FNS-authorized organization in a reasonable manner that aids in the
creation, implementation, and operation of the EBT acceptance system.

   (2) This subdivision shall not apply to a market described in
subdivision (a) that operates an active and current EBT acceptance
system.
   (c) The State Department of Social Services shall consider and
solicit input from the market prior to making a designation or
assignment authorized under this section to avoid, among other
potential conflicts, the selection of an entity that is in direct
competition with the market being served. The department may
condition an assignment or designation, and remove an FNS-authorized
organization previously designated or assigned by the department.
   (d) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to require a
market described in subdivision (a) to itself create, operate, or
maintain an EBT acceptance system on behalf of its produce sellers.