CA AB1857

Makes void and unenforceable any covenant, restriction, or condition in deeds, contracts, leases, or other property instruments that prohibits or restricts use of commercial property as a grocery store or supermarket

Defines "grocery store" or "supermarket" as any retailer that sells food items

Addresses food access disparities, citing that 2.7 million low-income Californians live in areas with low geographical access to grocery stores and half of Black neighborhoods nationally lack a supermarket or full-service grocery store

Cites food insecurity affecting more than one in five Californians, with food prices increasing nearly 30% since 2020 and food insecurity imposing over $7 billion annually in healthcare costs in California

Adds Section 714.8 to the Civil Code, requiring no appropriation, no fiscal committee review, and only a majority vote for passage