April is proving to be exceptionally busy at the Capitol, with numerous budget and policy committee hearings convening throughout the month. Budget committees devoted significant time to analyzing Governor Newsom’s 2025–26 budget proposal, and members are in the midst of determining their own legislative and funding priorities. These deliberations are expected to continue well into the summer as budget negotiations progress.
Our current assessment of the state budget remains sobering. Revenues continue to underperform earlier projections, placing substantial pressure on key programmatic investments. While the Governor’s May Revision is due by May 14th,EDGE and our partners continue to elevate critical budget proposals to ensure they remain front and center. We are particularly concerned about potential reductions to workforce training programs, student financial aid access, the Medi-Cal program and other safety net services that serve our most underserved communities. These investments are vital for enabling Californians to pursue skills training, secure stable housing, obtain child care, and address food insecurity. View our budget priorities here.
Following the Legislature’s spring recess from April 10 through April 21, lawmakers returned to a packed schedule of policy committee hearings. A variety of bills impacting workers, opportunity youth, and returning students were heard, debated, and—where approved—voted out of committee. These measures now advance to the next stages of the legislative process, carrying significant implications for California’s workforce and overall economic vitality.
Looking ahead, May 2nd marks the last day for policy committees to report any bills with state-cost implications to the Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees. Those committees will then weigh each proposal at their Suspense hearings on May 22nd, deciding which measures proceed to the floor for a vote. With so much budget uncertainty on the horizon, EDGE remains fully committed to continue advocating for the protection and expansion of investments that help Californians address basic needs and access life-changing education and training programs.
Below is a list of bills EDGE is closely tracking. An official position is noted if it has been approved by our coalition. This is a dynamic list that will be updated as we continue to analyze legislation and as bills move forward, or not, this session. For more information about our positions on specific legislation, please contact Jason Henderson, Policy Analyst, at jhenderson@caedge.org.
EDGE Bill Positions
AB 537 (Ahrens) CA College Promise for All. This bill expands the California College Promise program, which currently only allows full-time community college students, to include part-time students as well. This change allows colleges to waive fees for all students, regardless of enrollment status. By extending access to part-time learners—many of whom are balancing work and education—this bill supports a more inclusive pathway to higher education and the workforce. Factsheet.
Position: Support
Status: Pending in Assembly Higher Education Committee
SB 575 (Laird) California Cradle-to-Career Data System – Earnings Data Gap. This bill allows the Franchise Tax Board to share limited earnings data with the Cradle-to-Career system to verify income and match existing records. This will help C2C better understand earnings and workforce trends for full-time workers without college degrees and college-goers working as independent contractors—especially those who have not participated in California’s public higher education institutions. Factsheet.
Position: Support
Status: Pulled from Assembly Higher Ed Committee
AB 731 (Fong) College and Career Access Pathways – Dual Enrollment Partnerships. This bill removes key barriers to make CCAP dual enrollment more accessible and equitable for all students. It simplifies the application process, eliminates the need for principal approval, and offers flexibility on the 15-unit cap. Building on AB 368 (Holden, 2022), AB 731 also shifts reporting requirements to focus on student outcomes—such as certificate completion, transfers, and overall success—giving the state better tools to evaluate dual enrollment impact. Factsheet.
Position: Support
Status: Pending in Assembly Education Committee
AB 1122 (Bryan) Universal Access to Dual Enrollment. This bill promotes universal access to dual enrollment by 2030 through targeted, equity-driven reforms. It requires all school districts to offer dual enrollment opportunities, with a focus on underserved communities. Aligned with the Governor’s Master Plan on Career Education, the bill positions dual enrollment as a key strategy for preparing students for college and careers. Factsheet.
Position: Support
Status: Pending in Assembly Education Committee