Overview
The 2025-26 legislative session convened with an organizational session on Dec. 2 and will reconvene on Jan. 6, 2025.
Budget 1
ACA 1 (Valencia, D-Anaheim)
Under Review
Introduced on Dec. 2.
ACA 1 would allow for increasing state budget reserves into the Budget Stabilization Account and exempting those funds from the state appropriations limits. Increased budget reserves would potentially protect Medi-Cal from cuts during difficult fiscal years.
Civil Actions/Tort Reform 1
SB 29 (Laird, D-Santa Cruz)
Oppose
Introduced on Dec. 2.
SB 29 would make permanent the ability for a decedent’s estate to recover for non-economic damages (pain and suffering).
Emergency Services 1
AB 40 (Bonta, D-Oakland)
Follow
Introduced on Dec. 2.
AB 40 would explicitly clarify that “emergency services and care” includes reproductive health services, such as abortion. This aligns with current hospital practices, as federal law already requires hospitals to provide abortions as necessary to stabilize a patient’s emergency medical condition.
Government Payers 1
AB 4 (Arambula, D-Fresno)
Under Review
Introduced on Dec. 2.
AB 4 would require the California Health Benefit Exchange to design a program, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to allow individuals to obtain coverage regardless of immigration status.
Health Facilities 1
SB 32 (Weber, D-San Diego)
Follow
Introduced on Dec. 2.
SB 32 is a placeholder bill from Sen. Akilah Weber to address the closure of maternity wards across the state. CHA is working closely with Dr. Weber’s office to propose solutions and provide education on the complex factors contributing to maternity ward closures from a hospital perspective.