Assembly advances $10 billion housing bond and dozens of bills in fast-paced May 20 session

The California State Assembly on May 20 considered and voted on a broad package of bills ranging from a proposed $10 billion housing bond to measures on school food, wildfire response and public-safety tools, automated speed enforcement in work zones, and expansions of health and social services.

The most high-profile item was AB 7 36, the Affordable Housing Bond of 2026, introduced by Assemblymember Laura Wicks (Oakland). Wicks said the bond would place $10 billion on a future ballot to finance deeply affordable rentals, permanent supportive housing, home-ownership assistance and rehabilitation projects; she described tens of thousands of shovel-ready units that could be built with additional funding. The Assembly voted to place the measure before voters (vote recorded in the chamber as: Ayes 61, Noes 11 on the measure’s urgency and on the measure; final tally on the floor noted as I 61 No 11 for urgency and measure).

The floor also acted on several other notable policy items: - AB 12 64 (school meals and ultra-processed foods): Assemblymember Phil Gabriel introduced a bill to direct state scientists to define and phase out a subset of “particularly harmful” ultra-processed foods from school meals. Gabriel framed the measure as science‑based and aimed at improving child health; the Assembly passed the bill (Ayes 53, Noes 1 as recorded on the floor).

- AB 2 89 (automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones): Authored by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (co-sponsorships and committee backing noted in debate), the bill would create a limited pilot for automated speed enforcement in state highway construction work zones, with warnings during an initial period and other protections. The Assembly approved the bill (Ayes 62, Noes 3).

- AB 2 55 (drug-free recovery housing): Assemblymember Matt Haney’s bill allows up to 25% of certain state housing funds to be used for drug‑free recovery housing that includes peer support and accountability. The measure passed unanimously in the Assembly (I 72, No 0).

- AB 4 95 (Family Preparedness Plan Act): Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez presented a measure to strengthen school and childcare protocols and create legal pathways (including joint guardianship procedures) so children are cared for if parents are detained. The Assembly adopted AB 4 95 (Ayes 51, Noes 6).

- AB 11 11 (school bus electrification flexibility): Assemblymember Rebecca Soria offered a bill adding flexibility for districts meeting 0‑emission school bus targets by recognizing limited infrastructure and equipment availability in some districts; the Assembly passed it (Ayes 59, Noes 0).

- AB 4 68 (looting and impersonation during declared disasters): Authored by Assemblymember Phil Gabriel, the bill tightens penalties and closes prosecution gaps for looting and impersonation of emergency personnel during disasters; it passed (Ayes 62, Noes 0).

Why it matters: The session bundled policy changes and a major financing measure that would rely on voter approval. Several bills address California’s long-running crises — housing affordability, homelessness, and wildfire risk — while others focus on public safety, student health, and access to services. Many measures passed with broad bipartisan margins on the Assembly floor.

Votes at a glance (selection of bills discussed on the floor May 20): - AB 7 36 (Wicks) — Affordable Housing Bond of 2026 (place bond on ballot to raise $10 billion for affordable housing programs). Assembly vote on urgency and measure recorded as I 61 No 11; measure passed on the floor. - AB 12 64 (Gabriel) — Phasing out a subset of ultra‑processed foods in K–12 school meals based on scientific review. Assembly: Ayes 53, Noes 1 (measure passed). - AB 2 89 (Haney) — Automated speed enforcement pilot in highway construction work zones with warnings and protections. Assembly: Ayes 62, Noes 3 (measure passed). - AB 2 55 (Haney) — Allows up to 25% of certain state housing funds for drug‑free recovery housing. Assembly: I 72, No 0 (measure passed). - AB 4 95 (Rodriguez) — Family Preparedness Plan Act (school/childcare protections; model policies; joint guardianship pathway). Assembly: Ayes 51, Noes 6 (measure passed). - AB 11 11 (Soria) — Adds flexibility on 0‑emission school bus timelines and reuse of buses as interim supply. Assembly: Ayes 59, Noes 0 (measure passed). - AB 4 68 (Gabriel) — Strengthens penalties for looting and impersonation during declared emergencies; clarifies prosecution tools. Assembly: Ayes 62, Noes 0 (measure passed).

Other measures acted on (floor tallies as read on the record; this list is not exhaustive of every consent calendar item): AB 9 17 (teacher permanency/CalSTRS‑adjacent issues) — Ayes 41, Noes 15; AB 9 85 (anesthesia access) — Ayes 44, Noes 1; AB 4 76 (metal theft/enforcement) — Ayes 70, Noes 0; AB 4 10 (bot disclosure) — Ayes 68, Noes 2; AB 13 24 (CalWORKs updates) — Ayes 43, Noes 14; AB 1,400 (community college BSN pilot) — Ayes 65, Noes 0. Many additional bills on the daily file were approved under pass‑and‑retain or on the consent calendar with recorded tallies in the transcript.

What’s next: The Assembly debated and voted on these measures under regular floor procedures on May 20. Under the Legislature’s procedures, bills that pass one house proceed through the normal process; timestamps and recorded votes are included in the official Assembly journal and roll call.

Speakers who spoke on items cited above included Assemblymembers Laura Wicks, Matt Haney, Phil Gabriel, Celeste Rodriguez, Rebecca Soria, Rob Bonta, and others; the session was presided over by Speaker pro Tempore Josh Lowenthal.

Ending: The Assembly’s May 20 session moved a mix of high‑profile financing and policy bills forward with multiple large‑margin votes. The housing bond and several other proposals now proceed through subsequent legislative steps and public review.