Subcommittee hears BCPs to convert limited‑term positions, approves request for security funding under review

The Civil Rights Department told the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 that workload from newly enacted laws has exceeded the agency's original estimates and that the department seeks to convert limited‑term positions to permanent authority.

Julia Parrish, deputy director for legislation, regulation and policy, said the BCPs for implementation of AB 2188 (cannabis‑related discrimination) as well as AB 1041 and AB 1949 were initially funded with limited‑term resources scheduled to expire and that the department is requesting permanent position authority because "workload has exceeded initial estimate."

The Legislative Analyst's Office and the Department of Finance flagged no objections during the hearing; Paul Steenhausen of the LAO said they "don't have any concerns" with the proposals.

Separately, Jamie Gillette, chief deputy director at the Civil Rights Department, requested $502,000 in ongoing funding for security guard services at the department's public counters, saying the department had "over a dozen incidents since July 2024 of individuals making threats to our CRD employees" and that on‑site guards would "greatly enhance our staff security and safety and then also help deter potential threats." Members asked for the Los Angeles office location (Gillette said it is in the Junipero Serra State Building at 4th and Hill) and raised the lack of a presence in Orange County; the department said it once had 12 offices and now operates six, with one additional Inland Empire office opened since the recession era closures.

No formal votes were recorded on these items during the hearing; members requested follow‑up information and said they would meet with department staff to review county‑level trends and staffing needs.