Senate approves AB 113, a late-session budget bill adding appropriations and urgency

The California State Senate on the floor approved Assembly Bill 113, a late-session budget bill that the budget chair described as making a series of post‑June appropriations and adjustments to reflect the final agreement between the Legislature and the governor.

"This bill allocates spending for specific priorities that were budgeted in the June budget agreement, but not appropriated at that time," Senator Laird said in opening remarks, outlining appropriations from Proposition 4 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. He said the bill "increases general fund expenditures by under a $100,000,000 above the June agreement" to cover federal funding losses and other adjustments.

Several senators debated the process. Senator Nilo urged a "no" vote, criticizing last‑minute urgency designations and the frequency of gut‑and‑amend practices. Senator Wiener and Senator Reyes spoke in favor, thanking budget staff and leadership and urging protection of transit and other priority investments within the package.

The presiding officer noted the measure contains an urgency clause that requires a two‑thirds vote. The secretary called the roll; the Senate recorded 29 ayes and 4 noes on the urgency clause and on the measure. The presiding officer announced the measure passed.

The package, as described on the floor, includes appropriations from Proposition 4 for safe drinking water, drought preparedness and related priorities and a one‑year $450,000,000 allocation from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for tier‑2 priorities including transit and community air protection program implementation. The Senate record shows the bill passed and will take immediate effect under the urgency clause.