Call to Action: Support Education & Workforce Development Bills Pending in the Appropriations Committee!
Please join our advocacy efforts to support education and workforce bills pending before the Appropriations Committee Suspense Files! The hearings will take place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, upon adjournment of Floor Session (Floor Session begins at 9:00 am).
The Suspense File is where costly bills are reviewed before the Appropriations Committee decides whether they should be held back or advance in the legislative process.
View the livestream Senate hearing here and the Assembly hearing here.
Education and Workforce Bills Pending in Appropriations Committee
AB 1534 (Irwin) – Workforce Pell: Would create a state approval process for programs seeking access to federal Workforce Pell Grants and add new local workforce board training requirements. (Factsheet)
AB 1871 (Fong) – Dual Enrollment: Would reform the College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) Dual Enrollment Program to remove student-level barriers and expand participation. (Factsheet)
AB 1980 (Caloza) – Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program: Would establish the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program (ERiCA)to expand access to construction careers for women, nonbinary individuals, and other underrepresented groups. (Factsheet)
AB 2300 (Arambula) – Workforce Development: Applicable Law: Would reduce administrative burdens on local workforce boards by simplifying grant and reporting requirements. (Factsheet)
AB 2466 (Fong) – Strong Workforce Program: Would authorize regional consortia to use Strong Workforce Program funds to support paid work-based learning for students and employers, with the goal of increasing employability and expanding job opportunities in high-demand fields. (Factsheet)
SB 1054 (Cabaldon) – EDD Data: [EDGE Co-Sponsored] Would direct the Employment Development Department to collect hours worked and occupation information through existing employer wage filings, strengthening CA’s workforce data infrastructure and supporting a more streamlined response to federal HR 1 work verification requirements to help Californians maintain access to critical benefits. (Factsheet)
SB 1340 (Richardson) – Small Business Contracts: This bill supports small businesses by improving transparency and follow-through in state contracting, helping them access and benefit from contracting opportunities and contribute to California’s economy. (Factsheet)
Take action! Sign on to support these measures here.
And follow us on LinkedIn for the latest bill updates!
For questions, please contact Valerie Johnson, Policy & Advocacy Manager, at vjhonson@caedge.org.
Support EDGE’s 2026 Policy Priorities and Engage in Advocacy!
EDGE invites partners to sign on in support of our 2026 Policy Priorities and/or engage in collective advocacy efforts advancing economic mobility for Californians who have been historically excluded from the state’s prosperity.
Our 2026 Policy Priorities advance a bold, equity-centered vision to:
Advance Equitable Pathways to Quality Jobs by connecting Californians to coordinated education, training, credentials, and apprenticeships that lead to family-sustaining careers.
Invest in the Social Determinants of Work by reducing barriers to accessing childcare, housing, transportation, health care, digital access, and financial aid so more people can participate in education and employment.
Strengthen Data and Policy Alignment for Economic Mobility by leveraging integrated data and cross-agency coordination to drive equity-centered investments and statewide accountability.
Protect and Sustain California’s Workforce Infrastructure by defending core education and workforce funding and supporting sustainable strategies that strengthen jobs, small businesses, and economic resilience.
By completing our collective advocacy form, your organization can:
Express interest in signing on in support of the EDGE 2026 Policy Priorities, and/or
Indicate interest in participating in advocacy opportunities, including legislative meetings, coalition letters, budget advocacy, and other coordinated efforts aligned with EDGE priorities.
Signing on in support and engaging in advocacy strengthens a unified coalition voice as EDGE works with the California Legislature, Administration, and key decision-makers to advance shared priorities.
View the full policy priorities here.
For questions or more information, please contact Anna Alvarado, Chief of Policy and Government Affairs, at aalvarado@caedge.org.