Bill Text: CA AB832 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 832 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Electronic benefits transfer cards: state college campuses.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-03 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB832 Detail]

Download: California-2013-AB832-Amended.html

BILL NUMBER: AB 832	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 21, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Weber

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2013

   An act  to add Section 10072.2 to the Welfare and Institutions
Code,  relating to public social services.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 832, as amended, Weber.  CalFresh.  
Electronic benefits transf   er cards: state college
campuses. 
   Existing federal law provides for the federal Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly the Food Stamp Program,
under which nutrition assistance benefits, formerly referred to as
food stamps, are allocated to each state by the federal government
for the purchase of certain eligible foods at approved retail food
stores.  Under existing state law, pursuant to CalFresh,
California's federal allocation is distributed to eligible
individuals by each county. Existing law authorizes a county to
deliver CalFresh benefits through the use of an electronic benefits
transfer (EBT) system and also prohibits recipients from purchasing
certain items with their CalFresh benefits.  
   Existing law provides for the California Work Opportunity and
Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, under which each county
provides cash assistance and other benefits to qualified low-income
families.  
   Existing law permits a county to elect to deliver CalWORKs and
SNAP benefits through the use of an electronic benefits transfer
(EBT) system. Existing law specifies criteria for the development and
administration of the EBT system, including issuance to a recipient
of an EBT card. 
   This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation that would allow the use of a CalFresh electronic
benefit transfer (EBT) card on a college or university campus for the
purchase of food.  require all convenience stores and
bookstores on any campus of the University of California, the
California State University, and the California Community Colleges to
accept the use of electronic benefits transfer cards. The bill would
also make related legislative findings and declarations. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
 yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


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

   SECTION 1.    The Legislature finds and declares all
of the following:  
   (a) Participation in the California Work Opportunity and
Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program and the federal
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known in California
as CalFresh, has increased in recent years. From July 2007 through
June 2012, CalWORKs enrollment increased by 24.37 percent. From July
2007 through October 2012, CalFresh enrollment has more than doubled.
As of February 2013, the CalFresh caseload includes 1.8 million
households. College students enrolled in state colleges and
universities are a group that benefits from both programs.  

   (b) Benefits under both programs are accessible with the use of an
electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. EBT cards are accepted at
point of service machines and ATMs at many retailers, including
grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. However, EBT
cards are not currently accepted at convenience stores or bookstores
on college and university campuses.  
   (c) When student EBT card holders are denied accessibility on
campus, they must either travel off campus to find another retailer
or locate an ATM for cash where they are usually issued a surcharge
for the transaction. The surcharge forces the goods to cost more and
takes away benefits that could be used on other necessities.
According to the Department of Social Services, the annual amount of
surcharges and fees paid by CalWORKs recipients to withdraw basic
need grants is approximately $20 million. Allowing low-income
students to use their EBT cards on campus will allow them to save
their benefits and time.  
   (d) CalFresh benefits on an EBT card may only be used for food
support. By allowing the students to use these benefits on campus,
students would be able to acquire healthy meals and snacks, which may
benefit their well-being and have a positive effect on their grades
since their bodies and brains would be nourished.  
   (e) State college and university campus participation in the EBT
system will benefit those institutions by allowing them to acquire a
new form of revenue to assist with their budget and will not be a
cost to them since retailers may obtain free state-provided EBT
equipment. It would also eliminate discrimination at campuses against
low-income students who have previously been denied access to their
benefits because of the way the benefits are distributed.  
   (f) California state colleges and universities are comprised of a
diverse class of students who utilize various methods to cover
financial obligations on campus. It is vital to require the state's
public higher education institutions to accept the use of EBT cards
on their campuses to allow students to purchase food at campus
convenience stores and other necessary items for their well-being at
campus bookstores. 
   SEC. 2.    Section 10072.2 is added to the  
Welfare and Institutions Code   , to read:  
   10072.2.  All convenience stores and bookstores located on any
campus of the University of California, the California State
University, and the California Community Colleges shall accept the
use of electronic benefits transfer cards.  
  SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature
to enact legislation that would allow the use of a CalFresh
electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card on a college or university
campus for the purchase of food.