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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California AB 1838

Public contracts: local agencies: responsive bidders.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

Existing law governs the procurement process for contracts of specified public entities. Existing law requires a local agency that requires that contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder meeting, or making a good faith effort to meet, participation goals for minority, women, or disabled veteran business enterprises to provide in the general conditions under which bids will be received that any person making a bid or offer to perform a contract shall include specified information in that bid or offer. This bill would require a contractor, as a condition of submitting a bid to a local agency for a public works contract, to fully disclose any history of wage and hour violations, as specified, and provide supporting documentation, as described. The bill would authorize a contractor that fails to provide the required disclosures and supporting materials to be disqualified from the bid. The bill would require a local agency to establish a process for a contractor to appeal their bid disqualification, as specified. By requiring local agencies to establish a bid disqualification appeal process, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would exempt public works contracts covered by a project labor agreement, and projects where local agencies require contractors to prequalify as a condition of bidding. 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.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 4:08 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Aug 27, 2026
House		AB 1838 Berman Concurrence in Senate AmendmentspassSet your home in California to see
Aug 26, 2026
Senate		3rd ReadingpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 13, 2026
Senate		Do passpassSet your home in California to see
Jun 29, 2026
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Jun 17, 2026
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Jun 10, 2026
Senate		Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Labor, Public Employment and Retirement ]passSet your home in California to see
Apr 20, 2026
House		AB 1838 Berman Assembly Third ReadingpassSet your home in California to see
Mar 18, 2026
House		Do pass.passSet your home in California to see

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