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Committee clears AB 1357 to exempt guaranteed income pilots from state benefit counting
Summary
AB 1357 would ensure guaranteed income pilot payments are not counted as income or resources for state public assistance programs (Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, CAPI); committee passed the measure as amended to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Rodriguez presented AB 1357, which would prohibit state public assistance programs from counting guaranteed income pilot payments as income or resources for eligibility and benefit calculations.
Students and guaranteed income participants testified in support. River Burkhart, a UC Davis student and participant in a United Way guaranteed income program, described receiving $500 a month and said the payments combined with CalFresh ‘‘have had a profound impact’’ on housing stability, food security and educational success.
Supporters argued pilots are time-limited payments that help recipients pursue education or employment and that participants should not have to choose between enrollment in pilots and retaining public benefits. Witnesses including Mayors for Guaranteed Income representatives said research shows guaranteed income does not reduce work and often improves employment and well‑being.
The committee discussed concerns about eligibility lenses and whether exempting such payments could erode means-testing. Members asked whether the bill applies to all guaranteed income pilots; the author and witnesses said the intent is to exempt guaranteed income pilots statewide for state-administered benefits. Senator Becker moved the bill; the committee passed AB 1357 as amended to Appropriations on a unanimous voice/roll call among members present.
