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Assembly committee advances security coordination bill for mega sporting events
Summary
The committee approved AB 549, which would establish interagency coordination and host-committee alignment to address safety and human trafficking risks around major upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
AB 549, authored by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create a framework for interagency coordination among state and local agencies and event host committees to enhance security and reduce risks such as human trafficking, discrimination and other harms during international sporting events in California.
“AB 549 will accomplish this goal by establishing a framework for interagency coordination,” the author said, noting California will host several major international events over the next few years and that enhanced planning is needed to protect attendees, workers and residents.
Supporters told the committee the measure aims to ensure preparedness and minimize public-safety risks while maximizing the economic benefits of hosting. Amelia Zamani, director of government affairs for the California Travel Association, said California’s travel economy generated significant revenue and jobs and that the state must “ensure the safety and security of our visitors, workers, and residents.” Support also came from law enforcement and travel and lodging industry groups.
A coalition supportive of the bill includes the California Travel Association, California Hotel and Lodging Association and California Police Chiefs Association. Some local host committees and sports commissions said they were reviewing the measure and expected to take formal positions later.
Opponents included a speaker who identified as representing people in the sex trades and said the bill could be used to expand law enforcement activity against adults engaged in consensual sex work; that witness urged the committee to avoid creating “slush funds” or conflating sex work with trafficking. The speaker cited existing federal and state funding for trafficking responses and urged caution.
Members who spoke in favor described the bill as proactive planning for upcoming events; the committee approved the measure and forwarded it to the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism. The committee roll call recorded the vote as unanimous on the floor of the committee (6 yes, 0 no).
