AB-2157 • 2026

Workforce development: Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program: extension.

Budget Education Energy Labor Taxes

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Connolly (A) , Bryan
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not specify exact details on how the Employment Development Department will continue to award grants after July 1, 2027.

Extending Help for Oil and Gas Workers

This law extends a program that helps workers who lost jobs in oil, gas, or related industries find new work. It also requires an assessment of the program's success.

What This Bill Does

Removes the end date of July 1, 2027 for the Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program so it can continue indefinitely.
Requires the Employment Development Department to contract with the University of California, Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education to complete an assessment analyzing the success of the program.

Who It Names or Affects

Oil and gas workers who lost their jobs
The Employment Development Department
University of California, Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education

Terms To Know

Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program: A program that helps oil and gas workers who lost their jobs find new work.
Employment Development Department: The state agency responsible for helping people find jobs and training programs.

Limits and Unknowns

It is not clear how much money will be given to the program.
The exact details of turning the pilot program into a permanent one are not specified in this bill.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
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 57. Noes 20.)
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 11. Noes 4.) (May 14).
2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on L. & E.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2157, as amended, Connolly.
Workforce development: Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program:
extension and assessment.
extension.
Existing law establishes, until July 1, 2027, the Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Pilot Program, to be administered by the Employment Development Department (department), for the purpose of addressing employment dislocations associated with oil, gas, and related industries. That program requires the department, using funds to be appropriated by the Legislature for purposes of the program, to award grants on a competitive basis to qualified applicants, as specified, for specified eligible activities.
This bill would extend the program indefinitely by removing the July 1, 2027, repeal date.
The bill would also require the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to contract within 120 days with the University of California, Berkeley Center for Labor Research and Education (labor center) to complete an assessment analyzing the success of the
program, as described. The bill would also require the department to work with the labor center to develop a recommended program design for turning the program from a pilot into a permanent program able to support displaced fossil fuel workers during the clean energy transition, as described. The bill would require the assessment to be submitted to the Legislature no later than 18 months after the execution of the contract.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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