All Roll Calls
Yes: 160 • No: 47
CaliforniaSB 22025-2026 Regular SessionSenate
Department of Justice: federal litigation expenses.
Sponsored By: Jesse Gabriel (Democratic), Scott Wiener (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More civil legal aid for low-income residents
The law gives $10 million for grants to qualified legal aid groups, set by a state formula, with at least $25,000 per grant. Up to 2.5% can pay administrative costs. Groups must serve indigent people facing detention, deportation, eviction, wage theft, or intimate partner violence tied to federal actions. The law also adds a one‑time $5 million to expand the California Access to Justice Commission’s grants to nonprofit legal providers, with the same 2.5% admin cap. The Judicial Council must report all awards to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and grantees must file final reports within 90 days after the supplemental grant period.
More immigration legal help and defense
The law sets aside $10 million for immigration legal services, including removal defense. The Department of Social Services gives grants or contracts to groups that qualify under state law. With approval from the Department of Finance, money can shift to state operations to run the program. After awards, the department must tell the Joint Legislative Budget Committee who got funds, how much, grant periods, and any transfers.
Deadlines to use this legal-aid funding
The law sets when this money must be put on contract and spent. Funds must be encumbered by June 30, 2026, and spent by June 30, 2028. This changes timing but not who qualifies or how much help people get.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Jesse Gabriel
Democratic • House
Scott Wiener
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 3/19/2025
Vote in CS64
Yes: 8 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/19/2025
Vote in CS64
Yes: 3 • No: 2
House vote • 2/3/2025
Item 2 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 55 • No: 18
House vote • 2/3/2025
Item 2 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 58 • No: 17
Senate vote • 1/23/2025
Item 2 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 28 • No: 8
legislature vote • 1/22/2025
Vote in CS62
Yes: 8 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 4, Statutes of 2025.
2/7/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
2/7/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 10 a.m.
2/4/2025legislatureIn Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
2/3/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 58. Noes 17. Page 81.) Ordered to the Senate.
2/3/2025HouseAmendments by Assembly Member Castillo tabled on motion by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry. (Ayes 55. Noes 18. Page 80.)
2/3/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
1/28/2025House(Ayes 59. Noes 15. Page 62.)
1/27/2025HouseOrdered to second reading.
1/27/2025HouseIn Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
1/23/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 37.) Ordered to the Assembly.
1/23/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
1/22/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 8. Noes 2. Page 31.) (January 22).
1/22/2025SenateSet for hearing January 22.
1/16/2025SenateJanuary 14 hearing postponed by committee.
1/14/2025SenateSet for hearing January 14.
1/13/2025SenateFrom committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. & F.R.
1/10/2025SenateReferred to Com. on B. & F.R.
1/9/2025SenateFrom printer.
1/9/2025SenateIntroduced. Read first time. Referred to Com. on RLS.
1/8/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered
2/7/2025
Enrolled
2/3/2025
Amended Senate
1/10/2025
Introduced
1/8/2025