Assembly Concurrence on AB 100 Advances Early Budget Actions for Wildfire, Health Care and Fire Recovery

The California Assembly on Thursday concurred in Senate amendments to AB 100, an early-action budget bill that includes funding for wildfire prevention and forest resilience, temporary Medi-Cal cashflow support and assistance for communities affected by recent Los Angeles fires. Assemblymember Gabriel presented the bill as an "early action" budget measure and asked for members' support.

"Most importantly, the appropriations in this bill will benefit communities across California by investing in wildfire prevention and forest resilience," Gabriel said on the floor. He added the bill also "will provide needed funds to ensure that hospitals and providers can receive timely payments and Californians can access the health care they need and rely upon."

Opposition focused on the bill's scope and priorities. Assemblymember DeMaio urged amendments to remove funding he described as coverage for "illegal immigrant" health care and to suspend the state's high-speed rail project; he criticized the bill's length and process and said the public deserved more transparency. DeMaio moved to suspend rules to amend AB 100; his motion failed on a roll-call vote, Ayes 18, Noes 51.

Supporters defended the bill as necessary to draw federal matching funds and to avoid interruptions in care. Assemblymember Addis said the bill would provide $2.8 billion in General Fund spending that, together with federal matching dollars, would allow the state to continue timely Medi-Cal payments. "Without this $2,800,000,000 in general fund appropriation, we would not be able to draw down the $8,200,000,000 from the federal government," Addis said.

After debate the Assembly voted to concur in the Senate amendments; the Clerk recorded Ayes 56, Noes 7. The measure was concurred in without objection and transmitted immediately to the governor.

Why it matters: AB 100 includes early-year budget actions that state leaders said are critical to maintain health-care provider payments and to fund wildfire mitigation and local recovery after major fires. The bill's passage sets immediate funding flows while broader budget negotiations continue.

Details and next steps: The bill's funding provisions will be part of the enacted budget upon the governor's consideration and (if signed) will authorize the appropriations described on the Assembly floor. More detailed budget deliberations remain scheduled for the June budget process.