Bill Commons

CA AB 1534

enacted

Federal Workforce Pell Grant program: local workforce development boards: participant training requirement.

California · 2025-2026 Regular Session · lower

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Quick answers

Did CA AB 1534 pass?

Yes. CA AB 1534 has been enacted into law. Latest recorded action (2026-09-27): Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 519, Statutes of 2026.

What is CA AB 1534 about?

(1) Beginning on July 1, 2026, for the financial aid award year of 2026–27 and each award year thereafter, existing federal law establishes the federal Workforce Pell Grant program to award grants to eligible students who are enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a short-term educational program that, among other things, provides an education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, as provided. Existing law establishes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, which is composed of various departments responsible for protecting and promoting the rights and interests of workers in California. Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. This bill would prohibit a postsecondary educational institution from disbursing federal Workforce Pell Grant program funds to students enrolled in the institution's short-term programs, and advertising, marketing, or informing students about the availability of those funds unless the institution has (A) obtained authorization from the commission, on behalf of the Governor, that the institution meets the requirements of specified provisions related to the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, and (B) obtained approvals and met all requirements set forth by the United States Department of Education. This bill would prohibit the commission from authorizing a postsecondary educational institution to receive federal Workforce Pell Grant program funds for a short-term program if the institution, among other things, partners, contracts, or affiliates with an entity that is not accredited by a specified accrediting agency, as provided. The bill would authorize the commission to use the California Priority Programs List to determine whether a short-term program satisfies specified requirements under the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, as provided. (2) Existing federal law, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) , provides for workforce development activities, including activities in which states may participate. Existing state law, the California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (CalWIOA) , establishes the California Workforce Development Board to assist the Governor in the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California's workforce investment system and the alignment of the education and workforce investment systems to the needs of the 21st century economy and workforce. CalWIOA creates the Consolidated Work Program Fund in the State Treasury, for the receipt of all moneys deposited pursuant to WIOA and requires moneys in the fund to be made available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Employment Development Department for expenditure consistent with the purposes of WIOA. Existing law contains various programs for job training and employment investment, including work incentive programs, as specified, and establishes local workforce investment boards to perform duties related to the implementation and coordination of local workforce investment activities. Existing law requires local workforce investment boards to spend a minimum percentage of specified funds for adults and dislocated workers on federally identified workforce training programs and allows the boards to leverage specified funds to meet the funding requirements, as specified. Existing law requires a local workforce development area that does not meet the expenditure requirements to submit a corrective action plan to the Employment Development Department that provides reasons for not meeting the requirements and describes actions taken to address the identified expenditure deficiencies. Existing law also requires the department to calculate for each local workforce development board whether the local workforce development board met the expenditure requirements and make annual reports regarding the training and supportive services expenditures. This bill, starting July 1, 2028, instead of requiring the local workforce development boards to spend a minimum percentage of specified funds for adults and dislocated workers, would require the boards to ensure that at least 50% of participants enrolled in the adult and dislocated worker programs receive workforce training services, and would prescribe the training services that count toward the participant training requirement. The bill would require a local workforce development area that does not meet the participant training requirement to submit a corrective action plan to the Employment Development Department that provides reasons for not meeting that requirement and describes actions taken to address the identified participant training deficiencies. By imposing new requirements on local workforce development boards, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Employment Development Department to calculate for each local workforce development board, among other things, whether the local workforce development board met the participant training requirement and make annual reports regarding the number of participants enrolled in adult and dislocated worker program, the percentage of those enrolled participants receiving training services, and the training expenditures and supportive service expenditures made by local workforce development boards, as specified. The bill would also make nonsubstantive conforming changes. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Who sponsors CA AB 1534?

Irwin is the primary sponsor of CA AB 1534, joined by 1 cosponsor.

Description

(1) Beginning on July 1, 2026, for the financial aid award year of 2026–27 and each award year thereafter, existing federal law establishes the federal Workforce Pell Grant program to award grants to eligible students who are enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a short-term educational program that, among other things, provides an education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, as provided. Existing law establishes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, which is composed of various departments responsible for protecting and promoting the rights and interests of workers in California. Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education. This bill would prohibit a postsecondary educational institution from disbursing federal Workforce Pell Grant program funds to students enrolled in the institution's short-term programs, and advertising, marketing, or informing students about the availability of those funds unless the institution has (A) obtained authorization from the commission, on behalf of the Governor, that the institution meets the requirements of specified provisions related to the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, and (B) obtained approvals and met all requirements set forth by the United States Department of Education. This bill would prohibit the commission from authorizing a postsecondary educational institution to receive federal Workforce Pell Grant program funds for a short-term program if the institution, among other things, partners, contracts, or affiliates with an entity that is not accredited by a specified accrediting agency, as provided. The bill would authorize the commission to use the California Priority Programs List to determine whether a short-term program satisfies specified requirements under the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, as provided. (2) Existing federal law, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) , provides for workforce development activities, including activities in which states may participate. Existing state law, the California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (CalWIOA) , establishes the California Workforce Development Board to assist the Governor in the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California's workforce investment system and the alignment of the education and workforce investment systems to the needs of the 21st century economy and workforce. CalWIOA creates the Consolidated Work Program Fund in the State Treasury, for the receipt of all moneys deposited pursuant to WIOA and requires moneys in the fund to be made available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Employment Development Department for expenditure consistent with the purposes of WIOA. Existing law contains various programs for job training and employment investment, including work incentive programs, as specified, and establishes local workforce investment boards to perform duties related to the implementation and coordination of local workforce investment activities. Existing law requires local workforce investment boards to spend a minimum percentage of specified funds for adults and dislocated workers on federally identified workforce training programs and allows the boards to leverage specified funds to meet the funding requirements, as specified. Existing law requires a local workforce development area that does not meet the expenditure requirements to submit a corrective action plan to the Employment Development Department that provides reasons for not meeting the requirements and describes actions taken to address the identified expenditure deficiencies. Existing law also requires the department to calculate for each local workforce development board whether the local workforce development board met the expenditure requirements and make annual reports regarding the training and supportive services expenditures. This bill, starting July 1, 2028, instead of requiring the local workforce development boards to spend a minimum percentage of specified funds for adults and dislocated workers, would require the boards to ensure that at least 50% of participants enrolled in the adult and dislocated worker programs receive workforce training services, and would prescribe the training services that count toward the participant training requirement. The bill would require a local workforce development area that does not meet the participant training requirement to submit a corrective action plan to the Employment Development Department that provides reasons for not meeting that requirement and describes actions taken to address the identified participant training deficiencies. By imposing new requirements on local workforce development boards, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the Employment Development Department to calculate for each local workforce development board, among other things, whether the local workforce development board met the participant training requirement and make annual reports regarding the number of participants enrolled in adult and dislocated worker program, the percentage of those enrolled participants receiving training services, and the training expenditures and supportive service expenditures made by local workforce development boards, as specified. The bill would also make nonsubstantive conforming changes. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Introduced
2026-03-05
Latest action
2026-09-27 — Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 519, Statutes of 2026.
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Subjects

Sponsors

  • Irwinauthor
  • Alaniscoauthor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

Newest first

  1. 2026-09-27

    Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 519, Statutes of 2026.

    became-law

  2. 2026-09-27

    Approved by the Governor.

    executive-signature

  3. 2026-09-08

    Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.

    executive-receipt

  4. 2026-08-28

    Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0.).

    amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable

  5. 2026-08-28

    Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6787.).

    amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable

  6. 2026-08-27

    In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

  7. 2026-08-27

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).

    passage,reading-1,reading-3

  8. 2026-08-24

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    reading-1,reading-2,reading-3

  9. 2026-08-21

    Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,reading-3

  10. 2026-08-20

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    reading-1,reading-2,reading-3

  11. 2026-08-19

    Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,reading-3

  12. 2026-08-13

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).

    committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable

  13. 2026-08-13

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    reading-1,reading-2,reading-3

  14. 2026-08-03

    In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

    referral-committee

  15. 2026-07-01

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee

  16. 2026-06-25

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on L., P.E. & R. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.

    committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee

  17. 2026-06-15

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

    amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee

  18. 2026-06-03

    Referred to Coms. on ED. and L., P.E. & R.

    referral-committee

  19. 2026-05-21

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

    reading-1,referral-committee

  20. 2026-05-21

    Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 10. Page 5185.).

    amendment-passage,passage,reading-1,reading-3

  21. 2026-05-18

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    reading-1,reading-2,reading-3

  22. 2026-05-14

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 1.) (May 14).

    committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable

  23. 2026-05-06

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

    referral-committee

  24. 2026-04-23

    Coauthors revised.

  25. 2026-04-23

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee

  26. 2026-03-23

    Re-referred to Com. on L. & E.

    referral-committee

  27. 2026-03-19

    Read second time and amended.

    amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2

  28. 2026-03-18

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on L. & E. (Ayes 8. Noes 2.) (March 17).

    amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,referral-committee

  29. 2026-03-09

    Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.

    referral-committee

  30. 2026-03-05

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

    amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee

  31. 2026-02-09

    Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and L. & E.

    referral-committee

  32. 2026-01-06

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 5.

  33. 2026-01-05

    Read first time. To print.

    reading-1

Versions

  • 01/05/26 - Introduced — 2026-01-05Compare
  • 03/05/26 - Amended Assembly — 2026-03-05Compare
  • 03/19/26 - Amended Assembly — 2026-03-19Compare
  • 06/15/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-06-15Compare
  • 08/19/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-08-19Compare
  • 08/21/26 - Amended Senate — 2026-08-21Compare
  • 09/02/26 - Enrolled — 2026-09-02Compare
  • 09/27/26 - Chaptered — 2026-09-27Compare
  • (document, no version)Compare
  • AB1534Compare

Documents

Votes

  • Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Labor and Employment]

    2026-03-17 · pass · 8-2

    Member-level votes (10)
    • Sharp-Collins: yes
    • Boerner: yes
    • Patel: yes
    • Fong: yes
    • Kalra: yes
    • Jackson: yes
    • Muratsuchi: yes
    • Jeff Gonzalez: yes
    • DeMaio: no
    • Tangipa: no
  • Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

    2026-04-22 · pass · 7-0

    Member-level votes (7)
    • Kalra: yes
    • Lee: yes
    • Elhawary: yes
    • Chen: yes
    • Alanis: yes
    • Ortega: yes
    • Ward: yes
  • Do pass.

    2026-05-14 · pass · 12-1

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Krell: yes
    • Sharp-Collins: yes
    • Wicks: yes
    • Pacheco: yes
    • Caloza: yes
    • Hoover: yes
    • Fong: yes
    • Calderon: yes
    • Pellerin: yes
    • Solache: yes
    • Aguiar-Curry: yes
    • Mark González: yes
    • Dixon: no
    • Tangipa: other
    • Ta: other
  • AB 1534 Irwin Third Reading Urgency

    2026-05-21 · pass · 61-10

    Member-level votes (80)
    • Lowenthal: yes
    • Stefani: yes
    • Mark González: yes
    • Soria: yes
    • Ortega: yes
    • Sharp-Collins: yes
    • Ávila Farías: yes
    • Schultz: yes
    • Berman: yes
    • Schiavo: yes
    • Rogers: yes
    • Papan: yes
    • Petrie-Norris: yes
    • Caloza: yes
    • Ahrens: yes
    • Haney: yes
    • Solache: yes
    • Nguyen: yes
    • Patel: yes
    • Wicks: yes
    • Bonta: yes
    • Aguiar-Curry: yes
    • Calderon: yes
    • Quirk-Silva: yes
    • Kalra: yes
    • Davies: yes
    • Lee: yes
    • Wallis: yes
    • Alanis: yes
    • Michelle Rodriguez: yes
    • Gabriel: yes
    • Boerner: yes
    • Krell: yes
    • Ransom: yes
    • Bryan: yes
    • Rivas: yes
    • Wilson: yes
    • Pacheco: yes
    • Bains: yes
    • Harabedian: yes
    • Zbur: yes
    • Valencia: yes
    • Carrillo: yes
    • Fong: yes
    • Addis: yes
    • Connolly: yes
    • Gipson: yes
    • Elhawary: yes
    • Hoover: yes
    • Pellerin: yes
    • Ward: yes
    • Jeff Gonzalez: yes
    • McKinnor: yes
    • Hart: yes
    • Bennett: yes
    • Jackson: yes
    • Muratsuchi: yes
    • Blanca Rubio: yes
    • Irwin: yes
    • Alvarez: yes
    • Bauer-Kahan: yes
    • Ellis: no
    • Hadwick: no
    • Tangipa: no
    • Patterson: no
    • Gallagher: no
    • DeMaio: no
    • Dixon: no
    • Johnson: no
    • Macedo: no
    • Sanchez: no
    • Celeste Rodriguez: other
    • Ta: other
    • Castillo: other
    • Ramos: other
    • Flora: other
    • Garcia: other
    • Lackey: other
    • Arambula: other
    • Chen: other
  • Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Labor, Public Employment and Retirement ]

    2026-06-24 · pass · 7-0

    Member-level votes (7)
    • Choi: yes
    • Gonzalez: yes
    • Reyes: yes
    • Cabaldon: yes
    • Ochoa Bogh: yes
    • Pérez: yes
    • Cortese: yes
  • Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

    2026-07-01 · pass · 5-0

    Member-level votes (5)
    • Smallwood-Cuevas: yes
    • Laird: yes
    • Strickland: yes
    • Cortese: yes
    • Durazo: yes

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

Attribution

Data from openstates_api_sync, retrieved 2026-09-30T03:29:16.539363Z

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