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AB-1980 • 2026

Labor: apprenticeship: Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program.

Labor: apprenticeship: Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program.

Budget Labor
Active

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The official status shows the bill passed both chambers but was referred to a suspense file; it has no effective date listed yet.

Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program

This law creates a new grant program to help women, nonbinary individuals, and underrepresented groups join construction apprenticeship programs by funding their training costs.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates the Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program within the Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
  • Requires the department to ask qualified organizations for grant applications through a competitive process.
  • Allows grants to pay direct stipends to participants so they can cover lost wages while training.
  • Prioritizes funding for programs that serve women, nonbinary individuals, and underrepresented populations who meet specified criteria.
  • Sets rules requiring grantees to report data and the department to send summary reports to the Legislature.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Women, nonbinary individuals, and other underrepresented groups seeking construction careers in California.
  • Qualified organizations that run preapprenticeship or apprenticeship programs registered with the state.
  • The Department of Industrial Relations and its Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Terms To Know

Appropriation
Money officially set aside by the Legislature to fund a program or project.
Stipend
A fixed sum of money paid regularly, often used here to replace wages lost while training.
Preapprenticeship
Training programs that prepare people before they enter a formal apprenticeship program.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill only takes effect if the Legislature approves funding through an appropriation.
  • Specific details about application criteria and performance measures will be decided later by department rules.
  • The text does not state how much money is available or when grants will begin.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Senate - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Labor: apprenticeship: Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeships Grant Program.