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AB-1039 • 2026

State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments.

State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Hart
Last action
Official status
Senate - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill status shows a hearing was canceled at the author's request, but also states it passed both chambers; this creates uncertainty about whether the law is currently active or if further action is needed.

Changes to Rules for Advance Payments on State Grants and Contracts

This law requires state agencies to make early payments, called advance payments, to eligible groups for new grants starting in 2026, while changing rules about prioritizing certain communities and how payment details are shared.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires state agencies to give an advance payment instead of just allowing it for all grants and contracts advertised on or after January 1, 2026.
  • Limits the rule that requires prioritizing disadvantaged and low-income communities only to grants and contracts advertised before January 1, 2026.
  • Removes the requirement to write a specific advance payment structure in every contract and instead asks agencies to consider using specified best practices for these payments.
  • Changes the rule about depositing funds into federally insured accounts so it applies only to grants or contracts larger than $10,000.
  • Requires grant announcements to state what percentage of total funds may be given as an advance payment.
  • Asks agencies to include the advance payment percentage when they register their grants with the California State Library.

Who It Names or Affects

  • State agencies that manage or give out grants and contracts.
  • Private nonprofit organizations qualified under federal law.
  • Federally recognized Indian tribes located wholly or partially in California.

Terms To Know

Advance payment
Money given to a recipient before they finish the work required by the grant or contract, which cannot exceed 25% of the total amount unless specified otherwise.
Recipient entity
A private nonprofit group qualified under federal law or a federally recognized Indian tribe in California that receives state funding.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not list the specific 'best practices' agencies must consider, only that they are specified.
  • The official effective date is not listed in the provided source material.
  • Exceptions to rules mentioned as 'specified' or 'except as specified' are not detailed in this summary.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments.