An act relating to the Budget Act of 2025. to amend Sections 14672.9, 15432, 95007, 95008, 95012, and 95024 of, and to add Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 95013) to Title 14 of, the Government Code, to amend Section 10295 of the Public Contract Code, to amend Sections 4435.1, 4435.2, 4519.2, 4519.10, 4519.11, 4572, 4620.5, 4622, 4625.5, 4629, 4636, 4648, 4685.8, 4688.21, 4689.1, 4851, and 4856, 4861, and 4865 of, to amend and repeal Sections 4429, 4430, 4474.1, 4474.12, 4474.15, and 4731 of, to amend, repeal, and add Sections 4474.2, 4519.1, 4620.3, and 4691 of, to add Sections 4418.05, 4519.12, 4621.6, 4689.9, and 4868.6 to, to add Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 4890) to Division 4.5 of, to repeal Section 4892 of, and to repeal and add Section 4625.6 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, and to repeal Section 53 of Chapter 171 of the Statutes of 2001, to repeal Section 70 of Chapter 758 of the Statutes of 2008, and to repeal Section 19 of Chapter 26 of the Statutes of 2016, relating to developmental services, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget.
AB 163 is a budget-related measure for the 2025-26 legislative session. As introduced, the bill is largely a placeholder: it states only the Legislature’s intent to enact statutory changes connected to the Budget Act of 2025, without itself making substantive policy changes in the introduced text.
The bill context indicates that AB 163 was later developed into a much broader budget trailer measure focused on developmental services. In that form, it would amend multiple sections of the Government Code, Public Contract Code, and Welfare and Institutions Code; add new chapters and sections; and repeal or revise several existing provisions tied to developmental services programs and related contracting and administrative rules. The context also indicates the measure would make an appropriation and take effect immediately, which is typical of budget-related legislation intended to implement the state budget.
In its introduced form, AB 163 would not change state law beyond expressing legislative intent. However, the bill context shows it is tied to substantial statutory revisions in the developmental services area, including changes to the Welfare and Institutions Code and related government and contracting statutes. If enacted in that later form, it would affect state agencies, service providers, and individuals receiving developmental services by revising program structure, eligibility or administration provisions, and related fiscal and contracting authorities.
The available voting history suggests the bill had majority support, passing Assembly third reading with 53 yeas and 17 nays. Because there are no committee transcripts provided, there is little direct evidence of debate in the record here. Overall, the bill appears to have been treated as a budget implementation measure rather than a standalone policy proposal, which often draws support from the majority caucus while still attracting some opposition from members concerned about budget details or program changes.
The main point of contention is likely the scope and substance of the later developmental-services trailer language, since the introduced text itself is noncontroversial and purely declaratory. Potential concerns would center on how the budget-related changes affect developmental services recipients, provider reimbursement or obligations, and the extent of the appropriation. The recorded nays indicate that some members opposed the measure, but no transcript is available to identify specific objections or sponsors of the opposition.