AB-1185 • 2026

California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Hart
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not specify how much funding will be provided or what specific new opportunities public libraries must offer.

California Library Services Act: Equity in Opportunity

This law changes the name of California's library services act and alters the duties of the California Library Services Board to advise the State Librarian instead of making rules directly.

What This Bill Does

Changes the name of the existing California Library Services Act to the California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act.
Reduces the size of the California Library Services Board from 13 members to 11 members.
Alters the duties of the board so that it advises the State Librarian on rules and policies instead of making them directly.

Who It Names or Affects

Public libraries in California
The State Librarian
Members of the California Library Services Board

Terms To Know

California Library Services Act: A law that aims to help all Californians get materials and information from public libraries.
State Librarian: The person in charge of overseeing library services for the state of California.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how much funding will be provided to support these changes.
It is unclear what specific new opportunities public libraries must provide under this act.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-03-19 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-03-13 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1185, as introduced, Hart.
California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act.
Existing law, the California Library Services Act, states the intent of the Legislature to provide all residents with the opportunity to obtain from their public libraries needed materials and informational services by facilitating access to the resources of all libraries in this state. The act establishes the California Library Services Board consisting of 13 members, appointed as provided, with the State Librarian as the chief executive officer of the state board. Under the act, the powers and duties of the state board include, among other things, the adoption of rules, regulations, and general policies for the implementation of the act, as provided.
This bill would rename the California Library Services Act as the California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Act, and would revise and recast the act to, among other things, state the intent
of the Legislature to create access to opportunity for all Californians at public libraries, as provided. The bill would rename the California Library Services Board as the California Library Services, Equity in Opportunity Board and would reduce the size of the board to 11 members, appointed as provided. The bill would prescribe the duties of the state board to instead be to, among other things, advise the State Librarian on the adoption of rules, regulations, and general policies for the implementation of the act, as provided. The bill would require the State Librarian to ensure staff support for the state board.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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