BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2720
Page 1
REPLACE - 08/26/2010 Changes per consultant.
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 2720 (John A. Perez and Bass)
As Amended August 20, 2010
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |53-22|(June 2, 2010) |SENATE: |21-11|(August 25, |
| | | | | |2010) |
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Original Committee Reference: AGRI.
SUMMARY : Creates the California Healthy Food Financing
Initiative (CHFFI) and fund for the purpose of expanding access
to healthy foods in underserved communities by leveraging
non-state funding options. Requires, by July 1, 2011, the
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in
consultation with the State Department of Public Health (DPH)
and State Department of Social Services (DSS), to prepare
recommended actions to be taken to promote food access within
California and permits CDFA to coordinate efforts to implement
the federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) and
maximize its funding. This authority remains in effect until
January 1, 2014.
The Senate amendments name the program CHFFI and create its
fund; delete the extension of the Healthy Food Purchase pilot
program's extension to January 1, 2015; limit implementation of
the program to the extent federal funds are available; make
funds available upon appropriation of the Legislature; and,
reduce authority's sunset by one year to January 1, 2014.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to the version approved by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : This bill's implementation is contingent upon
receipt of federal funds. There is no General Fund cost to
create the CHFFI Fund; potential minor costs, to CDFA for
consulting with DPH and DSS, and to respond if Legislature
request recommendations.
COMMENTS : There has been an increasing problem within urban and
rural communities in California, and nation-wide, to maintain
AB 2720
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the access to grocery stores and the availability of fresh
produce, creating what is called "food deserts." To this end,
the Obama Administration announced an effort to develop HFFI,
funded with over $400 million, which will help bring grocery
stores and other healthy food retailers to underserved urban and
rural communities across the nation. HFFI will promote a range
of interventions that expand access to nutritious foods,
including developing and equipping grocery stores and other
small businesses and retailers selling healthy food in
communities that currently lack these options.
AB 2720 creates the CHFFI program and permits CDFA to coordinate
the effort to develop a program, and provides a head start for
obtaining federal HFFI funds, thereby providing nutritious foods
to underserved areas and eliminating food deserts within
California.
Analysis Prepared by : Jim Collin / AGRI. / (916) 319-2084
FN: 0006794