California 20252026 Regular Session Status: To Executive 1 D cosponsors

AB 1838 — Public contracts: local agencies: responsive bidders.

Last action — Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 11, 2026. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 64% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 9 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill requires contractors to disclose wage violations when bidding for public works contracts.

This bill mandates that contractors disclose any history of wage and hour violations as part of their bidding process for public works contracts with local agencies. It also establishes an appeals process for contractors disqualified due to failure to provide this disclosure.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This bill aims to ensure better compliance with wage and hour laws, promoting fairer labor practices in public contracts.

Summary

Existing law governs the procurement process for contracts of specified public entities. Existing law requires a local agency that requires that contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder meeting, or making a good faith effort to meet, participation goals for minority, women, or disabled veteran business enterprises to provide in the general conditions under which bids will be received that any person making a bid or offer to perform a contract shall include specified information in that bid or offer. This bill would require a contractor, as a condition of submitting a bid to a local agency for a public works contract, to fully disclose any history of wage and hour violations, as specified, and provide supporting documentation, as described. The bill would authorize a contractor that fails to provide the required disclosures and supporting materials to be disqualified from the bid. The bill would require a local agency to establish a process for a contractor to appeal their bid disqualification, as specified. By requiring local agencies to establish a bid disqualification appeal process, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would exempt public works contracts covered by a project labor agreement, and projects where local agencies require contractors to prequalify as a condition of bidding. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

  2. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 64. Noes 8.).

  3. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

  4. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 9.).

  5. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  6. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (August 13).

  7. In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  8. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  9. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.

  10. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on L., P.E. & R. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (June 10).

  11. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.

  12. Referred to Coms. on L. GOV. and L., P.E. & R.

  13. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  14. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 62. Noes 7. Page 4722.)

  15. Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 4490.)

  16. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  17. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 18).

  18. Referred to Com. on L. & E.

  19. From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.

  20. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 18 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

AB 1838 Berman Concurrence in Senate Amendments

Passed 64 Yea · 8 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 5805
Democratic 53001
Unaffiliated 6001
Total 64807
% of votes cast 81%10%0%9%
How each member voted (79)
Member Party Vote
Patterson — Not Voting
Ávila Farías — Yea
Rivas — Yea
Carrillo — Yea
Fong — Yea
Garcia — Yea
Lowenthal — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Not Voting
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Not Voting
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Nay
Ellis, Stan Republican Nay
Flora, Heath Republican Not Voting
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Nay
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Johnson, Natasha Republican Nay
Lackey, Tom Republican Not Voting
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Nay
Sanchez, Kate Republican Nay
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Assembly 3rd Reading AB1838 Berman

Passed 31 Yea · 9 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 5100
Republican 1800
Democratic 25000
Total 31900
% of votes cast 78%23%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen — Yea
Gonzalez — Yea
Ochoa Bogh — Nay
Pérez — Yea
Rubio — Yea
Weber Pierson — Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Nay
Choi, Steven S. Republican Nay
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Nay
Jones, Brian W. Republican Nay
Niello, Roger W. Republican Nay
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Nay
Strickland, Tony Republican Nay
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading

Passed 31 Yea · 9 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 30000
Republican 1900
Total 31900
% of votes cast 78%23%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Nay
Choi, Steven S. Republican Nay
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Nay
Jones, Brian W. Republican Nay
Niello, Roger W. Republican Nay
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Nay
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Nay
Strickland, Tony Republican Nay
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Nay

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Labor, Public Employment and Retirement ]

Passed 5 Yea · 2 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 5000
Republican 0200
Total 5200
% of votes cast 71%29%0%0%
How each member voted (7)
Member Party Vote
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Nay
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Nay

Official roll call →

AB 1838 Berman Assembly Third Reading

Passed 62 Yea · 7 Nay · 11 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 56003
Unaffiliated 1000
Republican 5708
Total 627011
% of votes cast 78%9%0%14%
How each member voted (80)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Not Voting
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Not Voting
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Not Voting
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Not Voting
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Nay
Ellis, Stan Republican Not Voting
Flora, Heath Republican Not Voting
Gallagher, James Republican Nay
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Nay
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Johnson, Natasha Republican Not Voting
Lackey, Tom Republican Not Voting
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Nay
Patterson, Joe Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Nay
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does AB 1838 do?
Existing law governs the procurement process for contracts of specified public entities. Existing law requires a local agency that requires that contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder meeting, or making a good faith effort to meet, participation goals for minority, women, or disabled veteran business enterprises to provide in the general conditions under which bids will be received that any person making a bid or offer to perform a contract shall include specified information in that bid or offer. This bill would require a contractor, as a condition of submitting a bid to a local agency for a public works contract, to fully disclose any history of wage and hour violations, as specified, and provide supporting documentation, as described. The bill would authorize a contractor that fails to provide the required disclosures and supporting materials to be disqualified from the bid. The bill would require a local agency to establish a process for a contractor to appeal their bid disqualification, as specified. By requiring local agencies to establish a bid disqualification appeal process, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would exempt public works contracts covered by a project labor agreement, and projects where local agencies require contractors to prequalify as a condition of bidding. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Who sponsors AB 1838?
AB 1838 is sponsored by Berman, Marc (Democratic).
What is the current status of AB 1838?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 11, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 1838?
Track AB 1838 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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