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CaliforniaAB 11032025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Controlled substances: research.

Sponsored By: Christopher Ward (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster approvals for drug research

The state panel reviews and can approve research that uses Schedule I or II drugs. It offers a faster review for complete applications with proof of outside peer review, DEA authorization, and IRB or IACUC approval, plus FDA IND when required. The chair can assign two or more members to approve fast‑track projects without a full panel vote. The panel must tell the Attorney General who leads any approved project that can receive cannabis. The panel can withdraw approval for cause after written notice and a chance to fix; if withdrawn, the project must return or destroy the drugs under state and federal rules. Panel members are unpaid but get back necessary expenses, and the Attorney General’s executive officer helps assign reviews. These review and fast‑track rules run through January 1, 2028.

Public reports on research approvals

The panel must give the Legislature a backlog report by January 1, 2026. Each year through January 1, 2028, it must report approved projects, the project type, whether it was fast‑tracked, and conclusions when available. Beginning January 1, 2028, the panel continues this yearly report to the Governor and Legislature.

More open meetings on earthquake insurance

The California Earthquake Authority generally cannot hold closed sessions on rates, reinsurance, or strategy. It may close a meeting only with a two‑thirds vote after the public can speak on closing it. After a closed session, it must reconvene in public and report; if it lasts over two hours, it must give public notice by email or website before returning.

New meeting rules for research panel

Until January 1, 2028, panel members assigned to fast‑track reviews may confer and decide outside open‑meeting rules. At the same time, the panel cannot hold closed sessions to discuss or approve research projects even when they include trade secrets or other legally protected information. Both rules end on January 1, 2028.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christopher Ward

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 247 • No: 0

House vote • 9/9/2025

Item 237 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 79 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/8/2025

Item 400 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 39 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/8/2025

Vote in CS53

Yes: 12 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/25/2025

Vote in CS60

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 5/19/2025

Item 93 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 75 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/14/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 15 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/29/2025

Vote in CX08

Yes: 16 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 571, Statutes of 2025.

    10/10/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/10/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

    9/16/2025legislature

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3117.).

    9/9/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    9/8/2025House

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2627.).

    9/8/2025Senate

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/4/2025Senate

  8. Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    9/3/2025Senate

  9. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    8/20/2025Senate

  10. From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

    8/19/2025Senate

  11. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/10/2025Senate

  12. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (July 8).

    7/9/2025Senate

  13. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

    6/27/2025Senate

  14. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 25).

    6/26/2025Senate

  15. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.

    6/3/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.

    5/28/2025Senate

  17. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

    5/20/2025Senate

  18. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 1607.)

    5/19/2025House

  19. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/15/2025House

  20. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).

    5/14/2025House

  21. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    5/5/2025House

  22. Read second time and amended.

    5/1/2025House

  23. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 29).

    4/30/2025House

  24. Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.

    4/21/2025House

  25. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.

    4/10/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/10/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/11/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    9/3/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    7/10/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/27/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/3/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    5/1/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    4/10/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    3/28/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/20/2025

    HTML

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