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Bill

AB 1836

California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jesse Gabriel and 1 co-sponsor

AB 1836 creates a state nonprofit security grant program to fund security improvements for high-risk nonprofits and offsite events, based on risk and with annual funding needed.

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
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Bill Summary · AB 1836

Overview

AB 1836 would establish and codify the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program within the Government Code, under the administration of the Director of Emergency Services. The program aims to improve the physical security of nonprofit organizations and certain events hosted by nonprofits that are at high risk of violent attacks or hate crimes. The bill clarifies allowable uses of grant funds, set funding limits, and outlines administrative requirements and technical assistance.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create a formal state grant program to harden soft targets associated with nonprofit organizations and related events that face elevated risk of violence or hate-motivated attacks.
  • Expand grant-eligible security enhancements to include onsite or offsite events hosted by nonprofits.
  • Ensure funding decisions focus on risk factors (including likelihood of targeting) and do not penalize applicants with prior grant history.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment and administration

    • Creates the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program in the Government Code, administered by the Director of Emergency Services.
    • The program operates subject to an annual appropriation in the Budget Act (i.e., funding must be provided by the Legislature each year).

  • Eligible applicants and beneficiaries

    • Applies to nonprofit organizations and events hosted by nonprofits, including places such as schools, clinics, community centers, churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, that are at high risk for violent attacks or hate crimes.
    • Provisions permit funding for offsite events and explicitly ensure nonprofits without a physical site can still be eligible for funding for offsite events when the risk context applies.

  • Authorized uses of grant funds

    • Security enhancements at nonprofit sites or for events, including:
    • Security guards
    • Reinforced doors and gates
    • High-intensity lighting and alarms
    • Security training
    • Security for onsite or offsite events
    • Other security enhancements consistent with program purposes
    • Additional eligible uses for organizations that provide support to other nonprofits or clusters of nonprofits:
    • Vulnerability assessments
    • Security trainings
    • Mass notification alert systems
    • Monitoring and response systems
    • Lifesaving emergency equipment

  • Administrative and funding limits

    • Award recipients may use up to 5% of total grant funds to pay staff or contractors to manage and administer the grant.
    • Construction or renovation related to security (e.g., additional emergency exits) is capped at $100,000 per grant.
    • Individual grant awards are capped at $500,000.

  • Evaluation and eligibility criteria

    • The Director must not consider an applicant’s prior history with grant funding as a factor in evaluating new applications.
    • When evaluating applications, the Director should consider whether the applicant is more likely to be a target of hate-motivated violence.

  • Implementation and oversight

    • The Director shall adopt necessary application procedures, forms, guidelines, and requirements for implementing the program. These guidelines and procedures are exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act (i.e., non-rulemaking).
    • The Office of Emergency Services (OES) will provide ongoing technical assistance to nonprofits needing vulnerability assessments for state applications or threat assessments for federal programs, including:
    • A toll-free resource page with no-cost vulnerability assessment resources
    • Ongoing outreach to stakeholders outside the grant cycle

Who is affected

  • Nonprofit organizations and events hosted by nonprofits that are at high risk of violent or hate-motivated attacks.
  • Communities served by these nonprofits, including schools, clinics, religious institutions, and community centers.
  • Entities applying for state security grants and potential grant administrators within the Office of Emergency Services and the Governor’s administration.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Funding dependent: The program’s operation hinges on annual appropriation in the Budget Act; without an appropriation, the program cannot operate.
  • Administrative timeline: The bill directs the Director to develop and implement program procedures, forms, and guidelines (exempt from normal rulemaking).
  • Legislative history indicates a multi-stage consideration process, with committee referrals and standard California legislative timelines; sponsors include Assembly Members Gabriel and Ward, with co-sponsorship from Jesse Gabriel and Chris Ward.

Summary for readers

AB 1836 creates a formal, state-supported grant program to help nonprofits bolster security against violent and hate-based threats. It broadens allowable uses to cover offsite events and supports collaborations among nonprofits. It sets funding caps and cost-sharing rules, emphasizes risk-based evaluation, and provides for ongoing technical assistance from the Office of Emergency Services. The program would operate only if the Legislature allocates funds in the Budget Act each year.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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