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AB-1831 • 2026

California State University: employees and contractors: compensation restrictions.

California State University: employees and contractors: compensation restrictions.

Education Labor
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Ahrens
Last action
2026-04-15
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on enforcement or penalties for non-compliance.

California State University: Limits on Employee Pay

This law sets limits on how much money certain California State University employees and contractors can earn, based on the Governor's pay.

What This Bill Does

  • Sets a limit that the compensation for administrators, managers, contractors, or other non-union workers at CSU cannot be more than 125% of what the Governor earns.
  • Does not allow an increase in these employees' compensation if student tuition goes up during any fiscal year.
  • Requires the trustees to repeal a specific resolution about executive pay by July 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Administrators at California State University
  • Managers at California State University
  • Contractors working with California State University
  • Other employees not represented by unions at California State University

Terms To Know

Trustees of the California State University
The group that runs and makes decisions for the California State University system.
Employee organization
A union or similar group that represents workers' interests.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if someone breaks these rules.
  • The bill does not say how it will be enforced or who will make sure the limits are followed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-15 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  2. 2026-03-18 California Legislative Information

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

  3. 2026-02-23 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.

  4. 2026-02-12 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.

  5. 2026-02-11 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1831, as introduced, Ahrens.
California State University: employees and contractors: compensation restrictions.
Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law requires the trustees to establish and adjust the salaries and classifications of all academic, nonacademic, and administrative positions.
This bill would prohibit the trustees from establishing or adjusting the compensation of an administrator, manager, contractor, or other employee who is not represented by an employee organization to an amount that exceeds 125% of the compensation of the Governor. The bill would also prohibit the trustees, for any fiscal year in which the trustees authorize an increase in student tuition, from increasing the compensation of the employees identified above. The bill would require the trustees, on
or before July 1, 2027, to repeal a resolution approving executive compensation at the November 2025 meeting of the trustees.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF