All Roll Calls
Yes: 150 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 3232025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Strong Workforce Program: work-based learning opportunities.
Sponsored By: Mike Fong (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster CTE courses and portable credits
The Chancellor’s Office speeds up approval so CTE courses launch faster and move easily across districts. The plan was developed by July 1, 2017 and is in place by January 1, 2018. The Academic Senate creates a CTE subcommittee with at least 70% CTE faculty to keep programs aligned with industry and portable. Programs built with these funds can be shared statewide through an online clearinghouse. The Chancellor’s Office sets policies to expand CTE options, share labor and performance data, and boost employer engagement and work-based learning, with input from key partners.
Paid internships and student grants at colleges
40% of funds go to regional consortia fiscal agents and 60% go straight to community college districts. District funds can pay student grants, cover certification or license fees, and provide paid work-based learning like apprenticeships, internships, externships, and student-run enterprises. A district must actively join its regional consortium to get direct funding. By June 30, 2026, the Chancellor’s Office updates rules so districts can directly support paid work-based learning for students and employers.
Colleges and employers plan training together
The law expands K–14 career training through the Strong Workforce Program. It follows the California Strategic Workforce Development Plan. Regional consortia work with employers, labor, workforce boards, colleges, and schools to match local job needs. Planning includes groups that serve people with autism and other developmental disabilities. Projects must build on existing regional efforts and avoid duplicate work.
How Strong Workforce money is divided
Up to 5% of community college funds can support statewide work like labor market analysis, data systems, and training. The state uses a weighted formula to split money across regions and districts: 33% unemployment, 33% CTE student share, 17% projected job openings, and 17% successful workforce outcomes. Each four-year plan has a funding schedule, which can change if the Budget Act changes the total. By August 30 each year, the Chancellor’s Office sends allocation plans to the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and Finance must approve before money is released.
Rules districts must meet for funds
To receive funds, a district must be in a consortium, take part in regional planning under the federal workforce system, share labor and performance data, and include public universities and local education agencies. It must file a regional plan with the Chancellor’s Office by January 31 every fourth year and certify the money will grow quality CTE. Program dollars must supplement, not replace, existing CTE funding. A district cannot let its share of CTE full-time equivalent students fall below its 2015–16 percentage. Consortia give money only to community college districts, and the districts decide the split; these rules apply starting in the 2017–18 fiscal year.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mike Fong
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Tasha Boerner
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/4/2025
Item 431 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 39 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/7/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/25/2025
Vote in CS44
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 5/29/2025
Item 87 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 70 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 14 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/18/2025
Vote in CX09
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 255, Statutes of 2025.
10/3/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/3/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
9/11/2025legislatureIn Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
9/4/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2520.).
9/4/2025SenateOrdered to special consent calendar.
9/2/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
7/7/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6/25/2025SenateReferred to Com. on ED.
6/11/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
5/29/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 70. Noes 0. Page 1784.)
5/29/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
5/23/2025HouseIn committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
4/23/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 18). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
3/19/2025HouseCoauthors revised.
3/19/2025HouseReferred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2/10/2025HouseRead first time.
1/27/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee February 24.
1/25/2025HouseIntroduced. To print.
1/24/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/3/2025
Enrolled
9/8/2025
Introduced
1/24/2025