AB-1831 • 2026

California State University: executive compensation: restrictions.

Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Ahrens
Last action: 2026-06-04
Official status: From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on enforcement or financial impacts, leaving these areas open for interpretation.

Restrictions on Executive Compensation at California State University

This law sets rules for how much money top leaders at California State University can earn, especially when student tuition goes up or staff salaries do not increase.

What This Bill Does

Requires the trustees to repeal an old policy about executive pay and create a new one by July 1, 2027.
Does not allow the trustees to raise the pay of chancellors, vice chancellors, or executive presidents if they increase student tuition fees.
Does not let the trustees give raises to top leaders or certain staff members if other staff do not get salary increases.

Who It Names or Affects

The Trustees of the California State University
Chancellors, vice chancellors, and executive presidents at California State University

Terms To Know

Trustees: People who manage and make decisions for the California State University system.
Executive compensation: The pay, bonuses, and benefits given to top leaders in an organization.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not say what happens if the trustees do not follow these rules.
Does not explain how much money will be saved or lost because of these restrictions.

Bill History

2026-06-04 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.
2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on ED.
2026-05-27 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 72. Noes 0.)
2026-05-19 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
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.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2026-02-12 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
2026-02-11 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1831, as amended, Ahrens.
California State University: executive 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 require the trustees, on or before July 1, 2027, to repeal a policy on executive compensation adopted at the November 2025 meeting of the trustees and adopt a new policy on executive compensation, as provided. The bill would prohibit the trustees, for any fiscal year in which the trustees authorize an increase in student tuition, from increasing the compensation of a chancellor, vice chancellor, or executive president. The bill would also prohibit the trustees, for any fiscal
year in which the trustees do not authorize salary increases for represented staff, from increasing the compensation of a chancellor, vice chancellor, executive president, or member of the management personnel plan staff.

Current Bill Text

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