California Assembly Bill ABX115

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Failed: 2/3/25

Caption

An act to amend the Budget Act of 2024 (Chs. 22, 35, and 994, Stats. 2024), by amending Section 99.50 of, and by adding Section 5.27 to, that act, relating to the state budget, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, budget bill.

Summary

ABX115 is a budget trailer-style bill that amends the Budget Act of 2024. Its main substantive change is the addition of a new control section, Section 5.27, which restricts the use of appropriated state funds for grants, contracts, or state operations if those funds would be used to obstruct or interfere with federal enforcement actions or legal proceedings involving individuals convicted of a felony who are present in the United States in violation of federal immigration law. The bill specifically bars spending on litigation, administrative actions, or other measures intended to shield such individuals from federal apprehension or deportation. The bill also makes a conforming amendment to the Budget Act’s index of control sections in Section 99.50 to add the new immigration-enforcement restriction. It declares itself a Budget Bill and provides for immediate effect upon enactment, meaning it would take effect without the usual waiting period. Because it is framed as an amendment to the existing budget act, its operative effect is to place a spending restriction on state appropriations already contained in the 2024 budget framework rather than to create a standalone program or grant new funding.

Impact

If enacted, ABX115 would alter the legal conditions attached to certain state appropriations in the Budget Act of 2024 by prohibiting the use of those funds for actions that interfere with federal immigration enforcement against noncitizens convicted of felonies. The bill would not directly change criminal or immigration law itself, but it would constrain how state agencies, contractors, and grantees may use budgeted funds. The affected statutes are the Budget Act’s control sections, especially Section 5.27 and the index in Section 99.50, and the practical effect would fall on state departments, funded entities, and any programs using appropriated money for litigation, administrative advocacy, or related activities.

Sentiment

The available context shows little formal legislative history beyond introduction, so there is no recorded committee debate or vote pattern to gauge broad institutional sentiment. Based on the bill text, the measure appears designed to advance a restrictive position on state spending in the immigration context, which suggests support from lawmakers favoring stronger cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Because no votes or transcripts are provided, there is no evidence of compromise language or amendments, and no documented opposition in the supplied record.

Contention

The central point of contention is likely the bill’s restriction on state spending for immigration-related legal or administrative efforts. Supporters would view the measure as preventing state resources from being used to impede federal enforcement against felony offenders, while opponents could argue that it intrudes on state policy choices, limits legal defense or advocacy activities, and may affect immigrant communities or state-funded service providers. The bill’s focus on individuals convicted of felonies narrows the target group, but the prohibition is broad enough to cover litigation and administrative actions, which could raise disputes over how far the spending restriction reaches in practice.