Assembly committee rejects AB 89, bill to require CIF to limit girls’ high school sports to biological females

SACRAMENTO — The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee voted 2–7 on April 1 to defeat AB 89, a bill by Assemblymember Marie Sanchez that would have instructed the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to limit girls’ competitive high‑school athletics to students identified as female at birth.

Sanchez, the bill’s author, opened the committee hearing saying the measure “is entirely about fairness, safety, and integrity in girls competitive high school athletics.” She asked members to “listen to the brave young women who are here with me today.”

The bill drew extended public testimony. A student athlete who identified herself as Jaden told the committee she had trained for years and that “my dream of competing at the California State Track And Field Championship in 2 months is at risk because a biological male who is currently ranked first place for both long jump and triple jump is allowed to compete in the girls category.” Sophie Lohrey, identified in testimony as outreach director for California Family Council and a former collegiate athlete, urged passage, saying “girls deserve to compete fairly and safely against other girls.”

Opponents said the bill would harm transgender students and increase bullying and privacy violations. Nicole Peterson, who testified she is the mother of two teens and a longtime coach, said enforcement could “require girls to answer invasive personal questions or undergo physical inspections,” and warned that such rules could prompt harassment of students who do not meet stereotypical notions of femininity. Dr. Rhiannon Mulligan, who described herself as an athlete and scholar, said there is no evidence that transgender girls are “dominating sports” and that athletic success arises from many factors beyond biology.

Committee Chair Ward placed the matter into broader context in his remarks, urging attention to funding and safety across girls’ sports while cautioning that measures aimed at transgender students can increase harassment. Ward noted there is not comprehensive California data tracked by CIF showing how many transgender athletes compete in school sports.

The committee recorded a roll call after a motion to pass the bill to the Committee on Education. The motion was moved by the vice chair and seconded by Assemblymember Gonzales. The roll call recorded two ayes (Assemblymember Gonzales and Assemblymember Lackey) and seven noes: Assemblymember Ward, Assemblymembers El Hawari, McKinner, Ortega, Quirk Silva, Rivas and Zuber. The motion failed, 2–7.

Because the committee received more than an hour of public comment and extensive witness testimony on both sides, members also discussed alternatives such as increased funding and protection for girls’ teams, strengthened anti‑harassment measures and ensuring equitable resources for girls’ athletics. No amendment or study referral was adopted at the hearing.

AB 89’s hearing record includes dozens of written positions filed with the committee and a livestream of the testimony. The committee chair adjourned the discussion after the vote and moved on to the next agenda item.