California Senate Bill SB167

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/14/25
• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 2/5/25
• Engrossed: 3/20/25
• Refer: 3/24/25

Caption

An act relating to the Budget Act of 2025.

Summary

SB 167 is a budget-related measure introduced by the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review for the 2025-26 Regular Session. As drafted, the bill does not make substantive policy changes on its own; instead, it states the Legislature’s intent to enact statutory changes connected to the Budget Act of 2025. In practical terms, it functions as a placeholder or vehicle bill within the budget process, allowing later amendments to add the specific budget trailer bill or statutory provisions needed to implement the state budget. Because the bill text contains only an intent statement, it does not identify particular programs, agencies, taxes, or spending items that would be affected. Its legal effect at introduction is limited, but it is part of the broader budget package and may later be amended to carry substantive fiscal or policy changes. The bill was referred to the Assembly Budget Committee, and the available vote history shows it passed Senate third reading with 28 yeas and 10 nays, indicating it moved forward with majority support but not unanimity.

Impact

SB 167 would not, by itself, amend any specific statute or create a new program at the introduced stage. Its main legal impact is procedural: it establishes a legislative vehicle tied to the Budget Act of 2025 that can be used to carry later statutory changes through the budget process. If amended, it could become the vehicle for implementing budget-related changes affecting state agencies, funding allocations, or other fiscal provisions.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable support for the bill as a budget vehicle, with the Senate approving it on third reading by a 28-10 margin. Because there are no committee transcript snippets, there is no recorded substantive debate in the provided materials. The overall sentiment appears routine and procedural rather than controversial, consistent with a budget committee placeholder bill.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely not the introduced text itself, which is only an intent statement, but whatever substantive budget changes may later be inserted into the bill. In budget legislation, opposition typically centers on the policy choices, spending priorities, or fiscal tradeoffs added through amendments rather than the placeholder vehicle. The 10 nays on Senate third reading indicate some level of disagreement, but the provided record does not identify the specific objections or the members who raised them.