AB 1534: Federal Workforce Pell Grant program: local workforce development boards: participant training requirement.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Beginning on July 1, 2026, for the financial aid award year of 2026–27 and each award year thereafter, existing federal law establishes the federal Workforce Pell Grant program to award grants to eligible students who are enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a short-term educational program that, among other things, provides an education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations, as provided.

Existing law establishes the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, which is composed of various departments responsible for protecting and promoting the rights and interests of workers in California.

Existing law establishes the Student Aid Commission as the primary state agency for the administration of state-authorized student financial aid programs available to students attending all segments of postsecondary education.

This bill would prohibit a postsecondary educational institution from disbursing federal Workforce Pell Grant program funds to students enrolled in the institution’s short-term programs, and advertising, marketing, or informing students about the availability of those funds unless the institution has (A) obtained authorization from the commission, on behalf of the Governor, that the institution meets the requirements of specified provisions related to the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, and (B) obtained approvals and met all requirements set forth by the United States Department of Education.

This bill would prohibit the commission from authorizing a postsecondary educational institution to receive federal Workforce Pell Grant program funds for a short-term program if the institution, among other things, partners, contracts, or affiliates with an entity that is not accredited by a specified accrediting agency, as provided. The bill would authorize the commission to use the California Priority Programs List to determine whether a short-term program satisfies specified requirements under the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, as provided.

(2)Existing federal law, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provides for workforce development activities, including activities in which states may participate. Existing state law, the California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (CalWIOA), establishes the California Workforce Development Board to assist the Governor in the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California’s workforce investment system and the alignment of the education and workforce investment systems to the needs of the 21st century economy and workforce. CalWIOA creates the Consolidated Work Program Fund in the State Treasury, for the receipt of all moneys deposited pursuant to WIOA and requires moneys in the fund to be made available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the Employment Development Department for expenditure consistent with the purposes of WIOA.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 519, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6787.).
5. August 27, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).
7. August 24, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9. August 20, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. August 19, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
11. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
12. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).