California 2025-2026 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill AB1365

Introduced
2/21/25  
Refer
3/17/25  
Report Pass
4/22/25  
Refer
4/22/25  
Report Pass
4/24/25  
Refer
4/29/25  
Refer
5/14/25  

Caption

An act to amend Section 1947.3 of the Civil Code, to repeal and add Title 21.1 (commencing with Section 100100) of to the Government Code, to add Section 90.4 to the Labor Code, and to amend Section 12302.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to financial services.

Impact

The CalAccount Program represents a substantial shift in how financial services are delivered within California, particularly targeting households that lack access to traditional banking. By allowing landlords to accept rent payments via electronic funds transfer from a CalAccount, the bill will create more flexible payment options for renters, which is especially beneficial for low-income tenants. Employers will be required to implement payroll direct deposit arrangements to support employee participation in the CalAccount, thereby further integrating the program into the financial fabric of the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1365, introduced by Assembly Member Garcia, establishes the CalAccount Program, designed to provide every Californian access to a voluntary, zero-fee, zero-penalty, federally insured transaction account. This initiative is aimed at addressing the significant number of Californians who are unbanked or underbanked. The bill anticipates ameliorating financial inequalities by facilitating access to essential banking services, including the ability to deposit income directly into these accounts. It will be overseen by a commission that includes provisions for partnerships with financial institutions, ensuring accessibility to transaction locations such as ATMs.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding AB 1365 appears largely positive, as it seeks to address pressing financial access issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Advocates emphasize the importance of providing tools to build saving habits and improve residents' overall financial health. However, there may be concerns regarding the implementation and effective execution of the program, particularly the reliability of the partnerships with financial institutions and whether they will adequately cater to the neediest populations.

Contention

Notably, while the introduced bill has garnered support for its potential benefits, there will be challenges related to ensuring that the program effectively reaches vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing homelessness and immigrant communities. There may also be apprehensions about regulatory oversight and the capability of the state to enforce compliance among employers regarding payroll procedures connected to the CalAccount Program.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

CA AB2650

CalSavers: retirement savings.

CA SB1131

Debt collection.

CA AB2607

California Americans with Disabilities Act Small Business Capital Access Loan Program.

CA AB909

Financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult: fraudulent transactions: liability.

CA SB149

An act to amend Sections 2301 and 2302 of, and to add Section 2303 to, the Fish and Game Code, to add and repeal Section 515 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to amend Sections 675, 676, and 676.

CA AB801

An act to add Chapter 22 (commencing with Section 1915) to Division 1.1 of, to add Chapter 13 (commencing with Section 16910) to Division 5 of, and to add Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 50710) to Division 20 of, the Financial Code, relating to financial institutions.

CA AB693

Broadband: state oversight.

CA AB395

An act to add Section 37224 to, and to add Article 12 (commencing with Section 66095) to Chapter 2 of Part 40 of Division 5 of Title 3 of, the Education Code, and to amend Sections 11131 and 54961 of the Government Code, relating to holidays.

CA AB136

An act to repeal Section 241 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and to amend Sections 68502.

CA AB283

An act to amend Sections 3552, 3555.

Similar Bills

CA AB102

An act to amend the Budget Act of 2025 by amending Items 0130-021-0001, 0250-012-0932, 0250-015-0001, 0250-101-0001, 0250-101-0932, 0509-001-0001, 0509-491, 0511-001-0001, 0515-001-0001, 0515-001-0299, 0515-001-0317, 0515-001-3036, 0515-001-3153, 0515-001-3363, 0540-001-6088, 0540-490, 0540-491, 0540-495, 0650-495, 0680-001-0001, 0680-102-0001, 0690-001-0022, 0690-101-0022, 0690-105-0001, 0690-495, 0820-001-0001, 0845-001-0001, 0890-001-0001, 0950-001-0001, 0957-011-3403, 1111-001-0069, 1111-001-0108, 1111-001-0152, 1111-001-0264, 1111-001-0280, 1111-001-0310, 1111-001-0319, 1111-001-0326, 1111-001-0376, 1111-001-0704, 1111-001-0706, 1111-001-0735, 1111-001-0741, 1111-001-0757, 1111-001-0758, 1111-001-0759, 1111-001-0761, 1111-001-0763, 1111-001-0767, 1111-001-0770, 1111-001-0773, 1111-001-0775, 1111-001-0777, 1111-001-0779, 1111-001-3017, 1111-001-3140, 1111-002-0239, 1111-002-0305, 1111-002-0400, 1111-002-0421, 1111-002-0582, 1111-002-0702, 1111-002-0717, 1111-002-3122, 1111-002-3438, 1115-001-3288, 1701-001-3363, 1703-001-0001, 1703-001-3372, 2240-001-0001, 2660-001-0042, 2660-108-0001, 2720-002-0001, 3340-491, 3480-492, 3540-001-0001, 3540-001-3228, 3540-006-0001, 3540-491, 3540-492, 3790-001-0516, 3790-002-0001, 3790-301-0392, 3860-490, 3860-495, 3940-001-3058, 4140-001-0001, 4140-001-3436, 4140-101-0001, 4140-102-0001, 4170-101-3098, 4170-102-0942, 4260-001-0001, 4260-001-0890, 4260-001-3085, 4260-101-0001, 4260-101-0890, 4260-101-3085, 4260-101-3311, 4260-116-3397, 4265-001-0001, 4265-001-0231, 4265-001-3385, 4265-004-0001, 4265-111-0001, 4265-111-0231, 4265-111-3385, 4265-490, 4300-101-0001, 4440-301-0001, 4560-101-3085, 4800-101-3381, 5180-001-0001, 5180-001-0890, 5180-101-0001, 5180-101-0890, 5180-141-0001, 5180-141-0890, 5180-151-0001, 5180-151-0890, 5180-492, 5180-495, 5225-001-0001, 5225-002-0001, 5225-008-0001, 5225-017-0001, 5225-024-0001, 6100-001-0001, 6100-110-0001, 6100-136-0890, 6100-161-0890, 6100-194-0001, 6100-196-0001, 6100-296-0001, 6100-488, 6120-011-0001, 6360-001-0001, 6360-001-0407, 6440-001-0001, 6440-005-0001, 6610-001-0001, 6645-496, 6870-101-0001, 6870-488, 6980-101-0001, 7100-001-0001, 7100-011-0890, 7100-021-0890, 7120-101-0001, 7120-490, 7350-001-0223, 7350-001-0396, 7350-001-0452, 7350-001-0453, 7350-001-0514, 7350-001-0571, 7350-001-3002, 7350-001-3022, 7350-001-3078 7350-001-3121, 7350-001-3150, 7350-001-3152, 7350-101-3078, 7501-001-0001, 7730-001-0001, 7760-001-0001, 7760-001-0002, 8140-101-0001, 8260-001-0001, 8570-001-0001, 8570-490, 8570-491, 8660-495, 8860-001-0001, 8940-001-0001, 9210-110-0001, 9800-001-0001, 9800-001-0494, and 9800-001-0988 of, repealing Items 0509-495, 3900-102-0115, 4140-001-3447, 6120-211-0890, and 7120-101-3078 of, and adding Items 0509-101-0001, 0509-102-0001, 0511-002-0001, 0540-003-6093, 0540-103-0001, 0559-002-0001, 0680-101-0001, 0690-005-0001, 0690-104-0001, 0690-490, 0845-002-0001, 0954-490, 0977-401, 2240-107-0001, 2240-120-0001, 2660-101-0001, 2720-002-0044, 3100-490, 3125-001-6093, 3540-101-0001, 3600-002-0001, 3760-001-6093, 3790-003-0392, 3790-009-6093, 3790-012-0001, 3790-301-0001, 3810-002-6093, 3810-101-0001, 3825-002-6093, 3845-001-6093, 3855-002-6093, 3860-005-6093, 3900-011-3228, 3900-101-0001, 3940-102-0001, 3970-101-0001, 4140-491, 4265-012-0001, 4265-112-0001, 4265-401, 4265-493, 5227-105-0001, 6100-222-0001, 6120-490, 6125-490, 6980-495, 7730-490, 7760-101-0001, 8955-101-3313, and 8955-112-0001 to, Section 2.

CA SB102

An act relating to the Budget Act of 2025.