Assembly committee advances package of bills on holidays, procurement, safety and small business

The California State Assembly Governmental Organization Committee on a series of bills advancing proposals on state holidays, procurement reforms, disaster rebuilding, public‑safety measures at festivals and regulatory relief for neighborhood restaurants.

AB 268 — Diwali state holiday Assemblymember Ash Kalra, joined by joint author Assemblymember Darshana Patel, introduced AB 268 to add Diwali to California’s official state holidays. Kalra said, “It’s an honor to present AB 268,” and described Diwali as a festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains across California. Supporters, including San Jose resident Rajvi Patel and representatives of faith and community organizations, urged the committee to recognize the holiday as a reflection of California’s diversity. The committee moved the bill out of Governmental Organization to the committee on public employees and retirement with a recorded aye recommendation.

AB 770 — Definition of “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez presented AB 770 to define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays. Gonzalez said the bill would “clarify and codify the term customary maintenance” so regulators and the billboard industry share a consistent standard. Luis Gerardo Cuellar, vice president of legislative affairs for Bulletin Displays, testified in support, saying the bill’s definition would improve worker and public safety by making maintenance authority clearer. Assemblymember Gibson moved the bill and Assemblymember Solace seconded; the committee voted to pass AB 770 to appropriations.

AB 783 — State bulk purchasing to lower rebuilding costs after disasters Assemblymember Colosa described AB 783 as an attempt to make essential construction materials more affordable after declared disasters by authorizing the Department of General Services (DGS) to negotiate bulk prices and contracts for common residential materials. Colosa said the materials “will be offered at cost or with minimal administrative fees” for recovery efforts in declared disaster areas. Witnesses from the Housing Action Coalition and building industry groups supported the bill’s goals but committee members pressed the author on implementation, accountability and whether DGS would actually hold or store materials. Colosa clarified the bill’s intent was for DGS to negotiate prices, not to warehousing materials, and noted committee amendments including a proposed five‑year sunset and added transparency reporting. The committee passed AB 783, as amended, to the assembly committee on emergency management.

AB 381 — Procurement rules to prevent forced labor in state contracts Assemblymember Stephanie presented AB 381, described as the Human Trafficking Procurement Prevention Act. Stephanie said the bill would update state procurement rules to align with federal guidance and provide explicit definitions and contractor requirements to address forced labor and human trafficking in supply chains. Professor Stephanie Richard of the Sunita Jain Anti‑Trafficking Initiative testified as sponsor, urging California to “lead in preventing trafficking, both here in our own backyard and in our global supply chains.” Committee members asked whether the bill would affect use of prison labor; the author and sponsor said the bill mirrors federal standards and would not change existing constitutional treatment of prison labor.

AB 668 — Drink‑spiking prevention at festivals Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal introduced AB 668 to require large music festivals to make available, upon request, drink‑spiking test strips and drink lids and to establish reporting pathways when an incident occurs. Lowenthal described the measure as prevention‑focused: “Once somebody has been roofied, it’s too late.” Alcohol Justice and student and survivor witnesses urged support; the National Independent Venue Association of California testified in opposition unless amended, saying the bill as written could create compliance and cost problems for small and midsize venues and festivals and urged working with promoters on workable alternatives. The committee voted to pass AB 668 to appropriations.

AB 880 — Prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits Assemblymember Bennett presented AB 880 to close gaps in the Prompt Payment Act and require the state to promptly pay undisputed portions of invoices and reasonably cover negotiated indirect costs for nonprofit contractors. Nonprofit witnesses said chronic late payments have forced service cuts and strained cash flow; Bennett said the bill is “a straightforward necessary step towards equity and fairness in California’s grant contracting process.” The committee voted to pass AB 880 to appropriations.

AB 989 — Paid California Native American Day Assemblymember Ramos presented AB 989 to designate California Native American Day as a paid state holiday, saying it “would symbolize reconciliation” and help educate Californians about the state’s first people. Tribal representatives and Native organizations testified in support. The committee passed AB 989 to the assembly committee on public employees and retirement.

AB 592 — Extension of outdoor dining and ABC permitting flexibility for neighborhood restaurants Assemblymember Gabriel presented AB 592 to extend regulatory flexibility that was initially created during the COVID‑19 pandemic allowing expanded outdoor dining and temporary ABC permitting for alcohol service in outdoor dining areas. Pat Joyce of the California Restaurant Association and Casa Vega owner Christy Vega testified that temporary outdoor dining saved many businesses during the pandemic and remains important for economic recovery; opponents from alcohol‑policy coalitions urged limits or grandfathering provisions. The committee passed the bill as amended to the assembly committee on health.

Votes at a glance (committee action; subject to final roll call in subsequent committees) - AB 268 (Kalra): Add Diwali as a state holiday — Passed from Governmental Organization to Public Employees & Retirement (recommendation: aye). - AB 770 (Gonzalez): Define customary maintenance for outdoor advertising — Passed to Appropriations (moved: Gibson; second: Solace; recommendation: aye). - AB 783 (Colosa): DGS authority to negotiate bulk purchase of construction materials for disaster recovery — Passed as amended to Emergency Management (includes transparency amendments and a five‑year sunset recommended). - AB 381 (Stephanie): Human Trafficking Procurement Prevention Act — Passed to Labor (aligns state procurement with federal guidance; clarified no new prohibition on constitutionally permitted prison labor). - AB 668 (Lowenthal): Drink‑spiking prevention measures for large festivals — Passed to Appropriations (supporters cited prevention and survivor testimony; venue groups requested amendments). - AB 880 (Bennett): Prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits — Passed to Appropriations (support from nonprofit sector; aims to remove payment delays and cover indirect costs). - AB 989 (Ramos): California Native American Day as a paid holiday — Passed to Public Employees & Retirement (supported by tribal organizations). - AB 592 (Gabriel): Extend outdoor dining and ABC temporary permitting pathway — Passed as amended to Health (industry support; some public‑health/alcohol policy concerns recorded).

What happened next Committee leaders left several rolls open for additional members to add votes; bills that advanced will proceed to the next committees named above for further consideration.

Why it mattered The hearing moved a broad set of measures addressing cultural recognition, post‑disaster recovery costs, supply‑chain accountability, survivor safety at large events, nonprofit contract fairness and small‑business relief for restaurants. Several bills drew questions about implementation and oversight (notably AB 783), and venue operators sought technical fixes on AB 668 to avoid unintended burdens.

Taper Most bills passed out of the Governmental Organization Committee with committee recommendations and will face further committee review or appropriations scrutiny. Several authors said they will work with stakeholders on technical amendments as the measures proceed.