In a recent government meeting, Assembly Bill 2033, known as the EBT Access for Student Empowerment Act, was presented to address the pressing issue of food insecurity among California's college students. The bill, introduced on behalf of Assembly Member Reyes, aims to enhance access to CalFresh benefits by mandating that at least one store on each college campus become an authorized Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) vendor. This initiative is crucial as a report from the California Student Aid Commission indicates that only 127,000 students currently receive CalFresh benefits, while one-third of all post-secondary students in California face food insecurity.

The bill also requires community colleges and California State Universities (CSUs) to provide easily accessible information about EBT vendors, including a USDA SNAP locator link. Additionally, it calls for the establishment of basic needs centers and coordinators at CSUs and requests similar provisions for University of California (UC) campuses. Testimonies from students, including Valerie Valera from San Joaquin Delta College and Valeria Contar Mendez from UC Davis, highlighted the real-life impacts of food insecurity on academic performance and overall well-being.

Support for AB 2033 was strong, with various educational organizations and student associations backing the measure. The bill aims to create a more supportive environment for students, allowing them to focus on their education without the burden of unmet basic needs. The committee voted in favor of the bill, moving it forward to the Senate Human Services Committee for further consideration.

In a separate discussion, Assembly Bill 2046 was introduced to extend the authorization for single-gender schools and classes within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This bill seeks to continue a pilot program aimed at increasing representation of women and minorities in STEM fields. The program, initially authorized in 2017, has shown promising results, with students outperforming peers in coeducational settings. The bill includes provisions for ongoing evaluations and aims to ensure that educational options remain available for all students, including those identifying as non-binary or gender fluid.

Both bills reflect ongoing efforts to address educational equity and student welfare in California, with a focus on providing necessary resources and support to enhance academic success and well-being among students.