CA AJR40

Urges the federal government to reform the Official Poverty Measure, which has remained largely unchanged since 1964 despite significant economic and social changes.

Identifies critical flaws in the current measure, including failure to account for noncash benefits, regional cost-of-living variations, child care expenses, and medical costs.

Recommends adopting the Supplemental Poverty Measure, developed in 2010, as a guide for reform because it better reflects actual poverty by accounting for food, clothing, shelter, utilities, taxes, and necessary expenses.

Notes that California families are especially disadvantaged under the current measure due to high state costs of living, resulting in denial of federal assistance to families unable to meet basic needs despite income above the federal poverty line.

Directs the California Legislature to transmit this resolution to the President, Congress, and California's federal representatives requesting implementation of poverty measure reform.