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AB-661 • 2026

The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act.

The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act.

Budget
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Lee (A) , Schultz
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details about which state departments are required to share data with the Department of Social Services, leaving this detail uncertain.

California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act

This law requires the California Department of Social Services to study how a statewide guaranteed income program could work and report back with recommendations.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the California Department of Social Services to contract with one or more entities to develop comprehensive recommendations on designing, funding, and implementing a permanent, statewide Guaranteed Income Program.
  • The contracted entity must examine the benefits and challenges of scaling up permanent guaranteed income programs to reach a larger proportion of socially and economically vulnerable populations in high-cost regions.
  • Requires specified state departments to disclose necessary data to the Department of Social Services as needed for the study.
  • Needs a report by January 1, 2028, about whether expanding the program statewide is feasible.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The California Department of Social Services
  • Contracted entities and stakeholders on the steering committee
  • California residents who might benefit from guaranteed income programs

Terms To Know

Guaranteed Income Program
A program that gives money to people without requiring them to work or meet other conditions.
Pilot Program
A small-scale test of a new idea before it is fully implemented.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how much money will be used for the study.
  • It's unclear which specific state departments must share data with the Department of Social Services.
  • Details on who gets to join the steering committee are not specified in the official text.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

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

  5. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  6. 2025-03-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HUM. S.

  7. 2025-02-15 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.

  8. 2025-02-14 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 661, as introduced, Lee.
The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act.
Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, subject to an appropriation for this purpose in the annual Budget Act, to administer the California Guaranteed Income Pilot Program to provide grants to eligible entities for the purpose of administering pilot programs and projects that provide a guaranteed income to participants. Existing law requires the department to prioritize funding for pilot programs and projects that serve California residents who age out of the extended foster care program and pregnant individuals. Existing law requires the department, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to determine the methodology for, and manner of, distributing those grants, subject to certain requirements. Existing law requires the department to review and evaluate the pilot programs and projects funded pursuant to these provisions, provide a report to the Legislature
regarding that review and evaluation, and post a copy of the report on its internet website.
This bill, the California Guaranteed Income Research and Expansion Act, would require the State Department of Social Services to contract with one or more entities, subject to specified requirements, to develop and provide comprehensive recommendations on how to design, fund, and implement a permanent, statewide Guaranteed Income Program. The bill would require the contractor, among other things, to examine the benefits and challenges of scaling up permanent guaranteed income programs to reach a larger proportion of California’s socially and economically vulnerable populations, focusing on regions with a high cost of living and insights from best practices and lessons learned from the California Guaranteed Income Pilot Program. The bill would require specified state departments to disclose necessary data to the State Department of Social Services and require the contractor
to convene a steering committee composed of various stakeholders, as provided. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2028, publish on its internet website and provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the feasibility and benefits of expanding the California Guaranteed Income Pilot Program statewide based on the outcomes of the act.
This bill would authorize the State Department of Social Services to implement, interpret, or make specific the act without taking any regulatory action, as specified, and accept and, subject to an appropriation, expend funds to administer and implement the act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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