BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                    Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
          
                                          SB2013  (Escutia)
          
          Hearing Date:5/1/00             Amended:3/30/00        
          Consultant: George Cate         Policy Vote:H&HS 7-0   
          ____________________________________________________________ 
          ___
          BILL SUMMARY: 
          
          SB 2013 requires the Department of Social Services (DSS)  
          and stakeholder groups to develop and implement a  
          simplified and shortened application form for the Food  
          Stamps program.  Federal approval would be required for the  
          new form, which would also be used as part of the  
          application for the combined Food Stamp, Medi-Cal, and  
          CalWorks programs.

                              Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
           
          Major Provisions        2000-01            2001-02               2002-03   
           Fund  
          
          New form          105                        General
          New form            35                       Federal
          Caseload           Unknown                   Federal

          
          STAFF COMMENTS:  
          
          According to DSS this measure would require two temporary  
          positions at a cost of about $140,000, with half of this  
          paid for through the CalWorks program which would be all  
          General Fund, and the other half through Food Stamps which  
          is split 50-50 with the federal government.

          The Department has already begun to meet with stakeholder  
          groups in an effort to simplify the Food Stamp form.  To  
          the extent that a simplified form enables more persons to  
          qualify for food stamps there would be an increase in  
          caseload.  Food stamps are primarily paid for with federal  
          funds.