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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California SB 1205

Public contracts: retention: architecture or engineering services.

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

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

Existing law imposes various requirements regarding the formation, content, and enforcement of public works contracts. Existing law generally requires that retention proceeds withheld from payment by a public entity be released within 60 days after the date of completion of the work of improvement, except as specified in case of a dispute. Existing law limits the allowable amount of retention proceeds withheld in a contract between a public entity and the original contractor, a contract between the original contractor and a subcontractor, and a contract between subcontractors, as specified. Existing law defines "public entity" differently for these various purposes. This bill would prohibit any retention payments from exceeding 5% of the payment for contracts under design-bid-build, and amendments thereto, entered into on or after January 1, 2027, directly between a public entity and an individual or legal entity permitted by law to practice the profession of architecture or engineering, except for specific projects where, among other things, a finding has been made that the project is substantially complex and requires a higher retention amount. The bill would require any retention withheld to be released no later than 60 days after completion of services under contract. The bill would define terms for its purposes, including "public entity."

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 4:02 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Aug 27, 2026
Senate		Unfinished Business SB1205 Valladares ConcurrencepassSet your home in California to see
Aug 26, 2026
House		SB 1205 Valladares Senate Third Reading By CarrillopassSet your home in California to see
Aug 13, 2026
House		Do pass as amended.passSet your home in California to see
Jun 10, 2026
House		Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent CalendarpassSet your home in California to see
May 22, 2026
Senate		Special ConsentpassSet your home in California to see
May 14, 2026
Senate		Do passpassSet your home in California to see
May 4, 2026
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Apr 22, 2026
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent CalendarpassSet your home in California to see
Apr 14, 2026
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Local Government] with the recommendation: To Consent CalendarpassSet your home in California to see

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