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Bill

AB 661

The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Lee and 2 co-sponsors

California would fund a statewide study examining feasibility, costs, and design of a guaranteed income program before potential implementation.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 661

Legislative bill overview

AB 661 authorizes California to conduct a comprehensive statewide feasibility study on implementing a guaranteed income program. The study would examine costs, design options, implementation challenges, and potential impacts across different demographics and regions before any actual program launch.

Why is this important

Guaranteed income—providing regular unconditional cash payments to residents—represents a significant policy shift with substantial budgetary implications. The feasibility study determines whether California would pursue this approach, potentially affecting millions of residents and requiring billions in state funding if implemented.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and fiscal impact: Study funding and potential full-program costs could strain California's already-tight budget; critics question whether guaranteed income is the best use of limited resources compared to targeted assistance
  • Program design uncertainty: Fundamental questions remain unresolved—payment amounts, eligibility criteria, funding sources, and whether it replaces existing benefits—making the study's scope and usefulness debatable
  • Political ideology: Supporters view guaranteed income as progressive anti-poverty policy; opponents argue it creates dependency, inflation, or represents government overreach, making consensus difficult even on a preliminary study

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

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