Bill > AB48

This bill proposes the College Health and Safety Bond Act of 2026, a comprehensive education facilities funding measure that would allow California to issue state general obligation bonds to support public higher education infrastructure. The bill increases the bonding capacity for community college districts from 1.25% to 2% of taxable property and from 2.5% to 4% when issuing bonds that receive at least 55% voter approval. The proposed bond act aims to address critical infrastructure needs by funding projects such as seismic upgrades, emergency repairs, hazardous material removal, facility modernization, and affordable student housing development. The bill requires the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems to develop five-year affordable student housing plans for each campus, including details on current housing capacity, costs, and strategies to increase affordable housing options. The bond funds can be used for constructing, renovating, and expanding facilities, with a priority on reducing housing cost burdens and addressing critical maintenance needs. The bill caps administrative costs at 5% and mandates independent performance audits and public hearings to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of bond funds. Importantly, the bond act would only become operative if approved by voters in a statewide election, with the full faith and credit of the State of California pledged to repay the bonds.

Budget and Finance, Education, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB48