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AB-458 • 2026

Public contracts: firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.

Public contracts: firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.

Crime Education Firearms
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Stefani
Last action
2025-06-18
Official status
Referred to Coms. on G.O. and PUB. S.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the cost or who pays for creating the guidelines.

Rules for Buying Guns and Ammo for State Use

The bill requires the Department of General Services to create guidelines on buying firearms, ammunition, and accessories by July 1, 2027, and sets rules for bidders during the bidding process.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Department of General Services to develop model guidelines for state agencies on procuring firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories no later than July 1, 2027.
  • During the bidding process, annually, or upon request by a state agency, bidders must follow certain rules set by the bill.
  • State agencies can reject bids or cancel contracts if bidders do not meet the new requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

  • State agencies that buy firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories
  • Companies bidding on contracts with state agencies

Terms To Know

Procurement
The process of buying goods or services for a government agency.
Competitive Bidding
A method where multiple sellers bid to sell something, and the lowest price wins.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if state agencies do not follow these new rules.
  • The bill does not say how much it will cost or who pays for creating the guidelines.
  • It is unclear which specific state agencies this applies to beyond those that buy firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-18 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on G.O. and PUB. S.

  2. 2025-06-04 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  3. 2025-06-03 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 3. Page 2006.)

  4. 2025-05-27 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  5. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

  6. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (May 23).

  7. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)

  8. 2025-05-07 California Legislative Information

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

  9. 2025-04-07 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  10. 2025-04-03 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended.

  11. 2025-04-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 1).

  12. 2025-03-10 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  13. 2025-02-07 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 9.

  14. 2025-02-06 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 458, as amended, Stefani.
Public contracts: firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.
Existing law generally regulates contracts entered into by any state agency for the acquisition of goods and requires public contracts to be awarded by competitive bidding pursuant to specified procedures.
This bill would require, no later than July 1, 2027, the Department of General Services, in consultation with the Department of Justice, to develop model guidelines for offices, officers, departments, divisions, boards, bureaus, and commissions of the state on the procurement of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.
Existing law generally regulates contracts entered into by any state agency for the acquisition of goods and requires public contracts to be awarded by competitive bidding pursuant to specified procedures. Existing law makes specified violations of these provisions a crime.
This bill would, during the bidding process, on an annual basis, and upon request of the Department of General Services or a state agency, as applicable, require a bidder for, or a party to, a contract with a state agency for the procurement of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories to take specified acts. The bill would require a state agency to reject a bid or cancel a contract under specified circumstances. The bill would define various terms for these purposes. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF