California Assembly passes broad package of bills on Jan. 20 floor session

The California State Assembly on Jan. 20, 2026 passed a large package of bills during a Sacramento floor session, approving measures on energy exemptions, bond implementation, agriculture equity, education programs, public-safety placement rules and consumer protections.

Among the measures the Assembly approved were AB 34, which extends a renewable-portfolio-standard exemption for publicly owned utilities’ large hydroelectric resources; AB 35, a bill intended to speed implementation of the voter-approved Prop. 4 bond by exempting certain Administrative Procedures Act delays; AB 52, which codifies BIPOC and small-producer advisory roles at the California Department of Food and Agriculture; and AB 72, creating an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County. These and other measures were read on the floor, presented by their authors, and put to roll-call votes before the Clerk tallied the results.

The Clerk reported the following outcomes and vote tallies on key bills taken up on third reading and otherwise announced on the floor (each entry below reflects the Assembly’s roll-call tally as recorded during the session):

- AB 34 (Patterson) — renewable portfolio standard/hydro exemption: Passed, Ayes 55, No 0.
- AB 35 (Alvarez) — Proposition 4 implementation acceleration (APA exemption): Passed, Ayes 62, No 0 (also passed on urgency where noted).
- AB 52 (Agi R. Curry) — codify CDFA advisory committees for socially disadvantaged and small-scale producers: Passed, Ayes 50, No 6.
- AB 72 (Jackson) — electric vehicle economic opportunity zone (Riverside County): Passed, Ayes 58, No 0.
- AB 96 (Jackson) — remove high-school-diploma requirement for certified Medi‑Cal peer support specialists: Passed, Ayes 55, No 0.
- AB 230 (Ransom) — extend Pierce’s disease program sunset: Passed, Ayes 64, No 0.
- AB 277 (Alanis) — background checks for behavioral health employees: Passed, Ayes 59, No 0.
- AB 647 (Mark Gonzales) — cleanup to local RV disposal pilot authority: Passed, Ayes 54, No 0.
- AB 664 (Alvarez) — authorize four targeted community-college bachelor’s programs (pilot, sunsetting 2035): Passed, Ayes 60, Noes 1.
- AB 673 (Jackson) — unaccompanied youth support grant program for students experiencing homelessness: Passed, Ayes 55, Noes 1.
- AB 767 (Alaneast) — requires consideration of daycares and homeschool children in conditional-release placement decisions for certain sexually violent predators (SVPs): Passed, Ayes 65, No 0.
- AB 883 (Bauer Kehan, on behalf of Speaker Pro Tem) — protections for personal information of elected and appointed officials: Passed, Ayes 66, No 0.
- AB 946 (Brian) — include urban areas in 30x30 conservation goals: Passed, Ayes 65, No 0.
- AB 1054 (Gibson) — deferred retirement option program (DROP) for CHP and CAL FIRE (presentation and debate on costs): Passed, Ayes 61, Noes 1.
- AB 1070 (Ward) — construction-code change to ease 'missing middle' housing: Passed, Ayes 66, No 0.
- AB 1159 (Addis) — California Learner Personal Information Protection Act (student data privacy): Passed, Ayes 54, Noes 4.
- AB 1204 (Alvarez) — Local Control Funding Formula reform and education finance adjustments: Passed, Ayes 54, Noes 1.
- AB 1265 (Haney) — extend historic tax credit sunset and prioritize affordable-preservation projects: Passed, Ayes 64, No 0.
- AB 1349 (Bridal/Brian) — prohibit speculative ticketing on resale platforms and ban mimic websites: Passed, Ayes 61, No 0.

Many other bills were presented and passed on the consent or on the floor; roll-call tallies were recorded by the Clerk for each item as the Assembly proceeded through third-reading and consent calendars. After votes were recorded the Clerk also announced a small number of subsequent vote changes from the dais (for example, Assemblymember Chen announced changes to several previously recorded votes, and Assemblymember DeMaio changed a recorded vote on AB 7 10 from yes to no).

Why it matters: The package advances a mix of policy priorities the Assembly signaled as early-term priorities — speeding bond-funded projects, supporting higher-education access through community-college bachelor pilots, strengthening consumer protections and targeting certain public-safety placement rules. While most measures attracted little floor opposition, several items prompted extended debate and pointed objections on policy or fiscal grounds.

What’s next: Bills that passed the Assembly will proceed through any remaining legislative steps (if required) — concurrence, enrollment, or action in the Senate — and, for urgency or tax measures, may take effect immediately if the statutory requirements are met. The Assembly adjourned until Jan. 29, 2026.