California Assembly Bill AB126

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 2/3/25
• Engrossed: 3/20/25
• Refer: 3/20/25
• Refer: 4/2/25

Caption

An act to amend Sections 1240, 2575.2, 2575.3, 8281.5, 8320, 8482.3, 8482.4, 8483.3, 8484.8, 8901, 8902, 11300, 11301, 14041.5, 14500, 14501, 14502.1, 14503, 14504, 14504.2, 14505, 14506, 14507, 14508, 14509, 32526, 33050, 41020, 41020.2, 41020.3, 41020.5, 41203.1, 41206.04, 41341, 41344.4, 41404.5, 41585, 42238.022, 42282, 42284, 42287, 44225.6, 44235, 44258.9, 44259, 44395, 44400, 44400.01, 44400.02, 44400.03, 44415, 44415.5, 44415.6, 44418, 45037, 45125.1, 46120, 46141, 46146, 46146.5, 46392, 47604.3, 47604.32, 47605, 47605.6, 47605.9, 47607, 47607.3, 48000, 51221.2, 51745.6, 51747.5, 52064.5, 52066, 52071, 52071.5, 52072, 52072.5, 53008, 53009, 54681, 54682, 54683, 54684, 56836.146, 56836.148, 60900.5, 66032.2, 69617, and 76004 of, to amend, renumber, and add Section 17076.11 of, to amend, repeal, and add Sections 44965, 45193, and 47607.2 of, to add Sections 1632, 2575.35, 2580, 2581, 2582, 2583, 8901.5, 8903, 17376, 41020.6, 44259.4, 44259.8, 44415.71, 44415.9, 44690.1, 46149, 49507, 51225.33, 52071.1, 52071.51, 53008.5, 53008.7, 53009.1, 53009.5, 54451, 54685.1, and 76001.5 to, to add Article 4 (commencing with Section 44475) to Chapter 3 of Part 25 of Division 3 of, and Article 11.5 (commencing with Section 51827) to Chapter 5 of Part 28 of Division 4 of, Title 2 of, to repeal Section 42252.1 of, and to repeal and add Sections 41020.8 and 44281 of, the Education Code, to amend Section 17581.6 of the Government Code, to amend Sections 143 and 162 of Chapter 44 of the Statutes of 2021, to amend Section 117 of Chapter 48 of the Statutes of 2023, to amend Section 81 of Chapter 8 of the Statutes of 2025, to repeal Section 55 of Chapter 13 of the Statutes of 2015, to repeal Section 135 of Chapter 44 of the Statutes of 2021, to repeal Section 137 of Chapter 52 of the Statutes of 2022, and to repeal Section 115 of Chapter 48 of the Statutes of 2023, relating to education finance, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget.

Summary

AB 126 is a budget trailer bill for the 2025-26 session. The bill text itself is largely a placeholder, stating only the Legislature’s intent to enact statutory changes relating to the Budget Act of 2025. However, the bill’s caption and legislative context show that it is actually a broad education finance measure tied to the state budget, with extensive amendments to the Education Code and related statutes. It is designed to implement budget-related policy changes and appropriations affecting California’s education system. Based on the caption, AB 126 would make wide-ranging changes across school finance, local control funding, special education, charter school rules, community colleges, and other education programs. It also includes immediate-effect language and an appropriation, indicating that it is intended to take effect as part of the budget package rather than as a standalone policy bill. The measure appears to revise, add, repeal, and renumber numerous provisions in the Education Code and several budget-related statutes.

Impact

AB 126 would affect state education finance law by amending a large number of Education Code sections and related statutes, and by making an appropriation tied to the Budget Act of 2025. Its impact would be broad across state-administered education programs, potentially altering funding formulas, program administration, and statutory references for K-12 schools, charter schools, community colleges, and other education entities. Because it is a budget-related bill with immediate effect, it would likely supersede or modify existing statutory provisions as part of the enacted state budget package.

Sentiment

The available vote history suggests the bill moved with majority support, passing the Assembly on third reading by a 53-17 vote. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate to indicate detailed public arguments for or against the measure. Overall, the sentiment appears to be generally favorable among the majority needed to advance a budget bill, though the recorded opposition indicates some disagreement with the package or its policy contents.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the breadth of the education finance changes bundled into a budget trailer bill, which can draw criticism for moving significant policy changes through the budget process. Opponents may object to the scope, timing, or specific funding and program adjustments embedded in the measure, while supporters likely view it as necessary to implement the Budget Act of 2025 efficiently. Because no committee discussion is provided, the exact disputed provisions and the identities of the critics are not documented in the available record.