Bill > SB444

This bill amends California's existing food access policy by modifying Section 18700 of the Welfare and Institutions Code to specifically emphasize locally grown and raised food as a key component of food access rights. Currently, state policy declares that every human being has the right to access sufficient, affordable, and healthy food, and this bill adds the requirement that such food should be "locally grown and raised." The bill maintains the existing definition of food insecurity as the occasional or constant lack of access to sufficient food due to insufficient resources. It continues to require all relevant state agencies, including the State Department of Social Services, Department of Food and Agriculture, and others, to consider this policy when developing policies, regulations, and grant criteria related to food distribution. Importantly, the bill does not create any new mandatory obligations for the state to provide food assistance or require additional resource expenditure for food infrastructure. The legislation aims to reinforce California's commitment to ensuring food access while highlighting the importance of local food production.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB444