Resolution supporting California State Assembly Bill No. 1734, introduced by Assembly Member Catherine Stefani, which will authorize the creation of a two-year pilot program that funds California’s food insecurity research following federal cuts to the program by the Trump Administration and will expand survey screening to households earning up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, ensuring California can track how President Donald Trump’s proposed cuts affect hunger across income levels.

This resolution expresses the Board of Supervisors' support for California State Assembly Bill No. 1734 (AB 1734), also known as the "Count Hunger Act," introduced by Assembly Member Catherine Stefani. The bill aims to address federal cuts to food insecurity research by authorizing a two-year pilot program to fund California’s efforts in this area.

Key aspects of AB 1734 include:

• Funding Research: It will fund the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to continue collecting vital data on food insecurity.
• Expanded Eligibility: The survey screening for food insecurity will be expanded to include households earning up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Previously, the cutoff was 200% FPL, excluding many middle-income families who experience food insecurity but do not qualify for assistance.
• Data Publication: The bill mandates the publication of statewide, regional, and county-level data through the AskCHIS reporting tool, making the information accessible to policymakers.
• Pilot Program Timeline: The pilot program is intended to run for the 2027 and 2028 calendar years, contingent on legislative appropriation and a resolution from the University of California Regents.

The resolution encourages the timely adoption and implementation of AB 1734 to help combat hunger across a broader spectrum of income levels in California.