On July 1st, the 2025-26 fiscal year officially began, marking the start of the state’s new budget and accounting cycle. The enacted budget reflects months of negotiation on the broader budget package, along with numerous anticipated trailer bills that incorporate key legislative compromises and policy priorities. View our full budget summary here.
As the bulk of the budget season came to a close, the Legislature continued advancing key bills through policy committees. Many measures either progressed out of committee or were designated as two-year bills, allowing further consideration in the next legislative session. Several of EDGE’s priority bills, focused on dual enrollment, student financial aid, and workforce development, successfully cleared their respective policy committees and now move forward to the Appropriations Committee. With policy hearings concluded, the Legislature began its summer recess on July 18th.
During the legislative summer recess, Legislators return to their home districts to focus on local matters and constituents’ needs. The Legislature will then reconvene on August 18th to consider bills with a fiscal impact.
The Appropriations Committee Suspense File will be taking place on Friday, August 29th. Please join us in our advocacy efforts as we urge our state leaders to approve critical education, workforce, and social safety net bills! Take action here.
Below is an official list of bills that EDGE has taken positions on. This is a dynamic list that will be updated as we continue to analyze legislation and as bills either advance or not, this legislative session. For more information about our positions on specific legislation, please contact Jason Henderson, Policy Analyst, at jhenderson@caedge.org.
EDGE Bill Positions
AB 42 (Bryan) Simplifying CalWORKs/CalFresh. This bill would ensure all student grants, loans, fellowships, and scholarships are excluded from income calculations for CalWORKs and CalFresh recipients, helping underserved Californians access the full support needed to complete education and training programs. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File (08/29/25)
AB 95 (Fong) California Education Interagency Council. This bill would establish the California Education Interagency Council to improve coordination across California’s education and workforce systems. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Held in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File (05/23/2025); Two-Year Bill
AB 323 (Fong) Strong Workforce Program Fund Authorization. This bill would authorize Strong Workforce Program (SWP) funds to support students, employers, or both, in offering paid work-based learning opportunities that enhance employability and job placement. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File (08/29/2025)
AB 537 (Ahrens) California College Promise for All. This bill seeks to make changes to the eligibility requirements for the California College Promise program to allow community college students enrolled in 9 or more units to qualify for the enrollment fee waiver. This proposal ensures more students can access the financial resources needed to succeed. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File (08/29/2025)
AB 731 (Fong) College and Career Access Pathways – Dual Enrollment Partnerships. This bill removes key barriers to make CCAP dual enrollment more accessible and equitable for all students. It simplifies the application process, eliminates the need for principal approval, and offers flexibility on the 15-unit cap. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File (08/29/2025)
AB 988 (Fong) Dual Enrollment Advisory Board. This bill establishes the Dual Enrollment Advisory Board to develop recommendations on a statewide dual enrollment framework designed to provide universal access to dual enrollment courses to all public high school students. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Held in Assembly Appropriations Committee Suspense File (05/23/2025); Two-Year Bill
AB 1122 (Bryan) Universal Access to Dual Enrollment. This bill seeks to expand equitable access to dual enrollment opportunities by ensuring that all school districts offer a dual enrollment pathway that leads to a degree, credential, certificate, or transfer. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Held in Assembly Education Committee (04/30/2025); Two-Year Bill
SB 275 (Smallwood-Cuevas) Eligible Training Provider List. This bill streamlines the eligibility process for training providers on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) by shifting from annual to biannual documentation, aligning with federal standards. This reduces administrative barriers, keeps programs accessible during review, and supports workforce development in California. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Pending on the Assembly Floor
SB 575 (Laird) California Cradle-to-Career Data System. This bill will allow the Cradle-to-Career Data System’s Governing Board to request limited earnings and tax credit information from the Franchise Tax Board, aiming to enhance understanding of workforce dynamics and economic trends and aid in closing critical gaps in earnings data. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Held in Senate Revenue & Taxation Committee (04/23/2025); Two-Year Bill
SB 638 (Padilla) Education and Workforce Coordinating Entity. This bill would establish the California Education and Workforce Development Coordinating Entity within the Government Operations Agency. Factsheet
Position: Support
Status: Pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee Suspense File (08/29/2025)