Special session budget bills introduced
Assembly and Senate bills in print differ...negotiations will settle differences
Monday, December 2, the first day of the California Legislature’s 2025-26 Regular Session, also marked the beginning of the 2025-26 First Extraordinary Session, as called by Governor Newsom on November 7. The Governor’s special session proclamation asked the Legislature to provide additional funding to the state’s Department of Justice (DOJ) and other state executive branch entities for administrative and judicial challenges to actions of the new federal administration.
Differing special session budget bills were introduced in the Senate and Assembly. (This differs from the typical convention for budget bills: when they are agreed upon between leadership of the two houses and put into print in “mirror version” Assembly and Senate bills at the same time.) The final package anticipated for passage in January, therefore, remains to be negotiated between legislative leaders and the Governor.
The special session budget bills introduced on Monday were:
SBX1 1 (Wiener). This budget bill, according to a Senate leadership press release, “includes $25 million in funding proposed by Governor Newsom for the California Department of Justice to bolster legal resources, and adds $10 million for County Counsels and City Attorneys for similar purposes. It also expands on that effort by including $25 million for Legal Aid efforts and legal services for local communities.”
ABX1 1 (Gabriel). This budget bill, according to a press release from Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), “will set aside up to $25 million in funding” in the state budget “to cover the costs of potential litigation” related to the new federal administration.
ABX1 2 (Gabriel). This budget trailer bill, according to Assemblymember Gabriel’s release, “will immediately allocate $500,000 to fund initial case preparation” at DOJ. The bill includes findings and declarations related to the special session.