Assembly adopts final budget bill after contested final-day debate

The Assembly concluded its final-day work by adopting Assembly Bill 1 13, the final step in the 2026–27 budget process, after extended floor debate over priorities and specific line items.

Assemblymember Gabriel presented AB 1 13 as "our final step in the 20 26, 20 27 budget process," highlighting nearly $2.7 billion in voter-approved climate bond funds, $450 million in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund support for transit, 25,000 new childcare slots, and multiple investments in housing and wildfire prevention. "We are trying to navigate through very turbulent waters," Gabriel said, urging members to support the bill.

Opponents objected to portions of the spending package, focusing in particular on a $20,000,000 security allocation tied to CHP protections for former officials. "This bill includes 20,000,000 for CHP protection for families of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris," Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez said, urging a no vote. Other critics argued the budget assumes sustained market performance and reduces oversight of state funding.

After final remarks and the roll call, the clerk reported votes of 60 ayes and 11 noes on the urgency and the bill. The Assembly concurred in Senate amendments and the measure moved forward as the session's budget enactment.

Why it matters: AB 1 13 contains the state's principal spending plan and directs billions across housing, climate, childcare and disaster response. The floor debate underscored fault lines over priorities and transparency even as the majority framed the bill as targeted investments to protect Californians from federal funding uncertainties.