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SB 926

Public safety: Funding of Proposition 36 Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Marie Alvarado-Gil and 9 co-sponsors

Creates a dedicated fund to fully fund Proposition 36, directing $400M (2026–27) and ongoing General Fund transfers to support treatment, probation, enforcement, and administration

Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · SB 926

Summary of SB 926 (2025-2026, California) – Public Safety: Funding of Proposition 36 Act

Purpose and intent

  • SB 926 establishes a dedicated funding mechanism, the California Public Safety Services Support Fund, to implement and continue funding for Proposition 36 (Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act).
  • The bill asserts that Proposition 36 authorized public safety reforms focusing on rehabilitation, treatment, and recidivism reduction, but previously lacked adequate funding. SB 926 aims to correct underfunding and ensure ongoing implementation.
  • It declares an urgency, taking immediate effect to preserve public peace, health, and safety.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of a new fund

    • Establishes the California Public Safety Services Support Fund in the State Treasury.
    • The Fund is to be used, upon Legislature appropriation, to implement Proposition 36.

  • Initial funding transfer (2026–27)

    • The Controller must transfer $400,000,000 from the General Fund to the California Public Safety Services Support Fund for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
    • The transferred funds are appropriated for the purpose of implementing Proposition 36 and are administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).

  • Allocation and administration (2026–27)

    • Funds are to be allocated statewide on an equitable basis, considering population and caseload, but with a base minimum.
    • Specific allocation categories (and approximate purposes) include:
    • County behavioral health departments for treatment services (Health and Safety Code, §11395).
    • Community interventions and offset of incarceration costs for offenders sentenced under Proposition 36.
    • County probation departments to support courts, provide assessments, supervise expanded caseloads.
    • County administrative costs, coordination, and best-practice implementation.
    • District Attorney offices to offset increased costs of prosecuting more complex cases under Proposition 36.
    • City police departments to support retail theft reduction programs and related community interventions aligned with Proposition 36.

  • Long-term funding commitment (starting 2027–28)

    • Beginning in 2027–28 and in subsequent years, the Governor must propose a transfer from the General Fund to the California Public Safety Services Support Fund sufficient to fully fund the ongoing implementation and administration of Proposition 36 as part of the annual Governor’s budget proposal.

  • Authority and administration

    • The funds shall be administered by the BSCC and allocated to counties and local agencies per the specified purposes, with attention to equitable distribution.

Affected entities

  • State level

    • California Public Safety Services Support Fund created in the State Treasury.
    • Controller and Governor (budget proposals and transfers).

  • Local level

    • County behavioral health departments (treatment services).
    • County probation departments (court support, assessments, supervision).
    • County administrative offices (coordination and implementation).
    • District Attorneys (offset prosecutorial costs for more complex cases).
    • City police departments (retail theft reduction and related interventions).

  • Agencies empowered/charged with responsibilities

    • Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to administer and allocate funds.

Timelines and procedural notes

  • Effective date: Immediate urgency statute (takes effect upon enactment).
  • 2026–27 fiscal year: $400 million transfer from General Fund to the California Public Safety Services Support Fund.
  • 2027–28 and each subsequent fiscal year: Governor to propose transfers from the General Fund to continue fully funding Proposition 36 administration and implementation, as part of the annual budget process.
  • Administrative details: Funds allocated on a statewide equitable basis, with a base minimum, and targeted categories as listed.

Context and overall impact

  • SB 926 is designed to accelerate and sustain the funding needed for Proposition 36’s reforms, ensuring that treatment, rehabilitation, and public safety strategies transition from a funded concept to a fully funded, ongoing program.
  • By explicitly earmarking funds for multiple stakeholder groups (treatment providers, probation, prosecutors, police, and administrative coordination), the bill seeks to align resources with the Act’s multidimensional approach to reducing homelessness, drug addiction, theft, and related public safety concerns.

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

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