AB-500 • 2026

University of California: admissions changes.

Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Quirk-Silva
Last action: 2025-08-29
Official status: In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the exact nature of the consultations or discussions required, only that they must occur.

University of California Admissions Changes

This law requires the University of California to consult with specific groups before making changes to its undergraduate admissions criteria.

What This Bill Does

Requires the University of California to provide proposed changes to undergraduate admissions criteria to student organizations, the State Board of Education, and trustees for consideration.
Requires these entities to identify the proposal as an item for discussion at their meetings.

Who It Names or Affects

University of California
State Board of Education
Trustees of the University of California

Terms To Know

Regents: The group that makes decisions for the University of California.
Trustees: People who help manage and make decisions for educational institutions like universities.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what changes can or cannot be made to admissions criteria.
The bill does not state when the new rules will take effect after being passed by the Legislature.

Bill History

2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on ED.
2025-06-23 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 RLS.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 1651.)
2025-05-15 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on ED.
2025-04-03 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2025-04-02 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HIGHER ED. Read second time and amended.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
2025-02-11 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.
2025-02-10 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 500, as amended, Quirk-Silva.
University of California: admissions changes.
Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, and the University of California, under the administration of the Regents of the University of California, as 2 segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law states legislative intent for the University of California and California State University governing boards, in determining the standards and criteria for undergraduate and graduate admissions, to develop processes that strive to be fair and easily understandable, consider using criteria allowing eligible students with uncontrollable course deficiencies to enroll, and consult broadly with California’s diverse communities, as provided.
This bill would
state the intent of the Legislature for a University of California proposal
regarding a change to the conditions for undergraduate admissions, as specified, to become operative only after
request the University of California, before a proposal regarding a change to the conditions for undergraduate admissions is adopted by the regents, to complete
certain
actions have been taken,
actions,
including, among other actions, providing the proposal to the official student organization representing the student body of the University of California, the State Board of Education, and the trustees for consideration, and
would require
the state board and trustees
have identified
to identify
the proposal as an item for discussion and
discussed
discuss
the proposal at a meeting of each of these boards, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF