AB 1838: Public contracts: local agencies: responsive bidders.

Official summary

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

Existing law governs the procurement process for contracts of specified public entities. Existing law requires a local agency that requires that contracts be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder meeting, or making a good faith effort to meet, participation goals for minority, women, or disabled veteran business enterprises to provide in the general conditions under which bids will be received that any person making a bid or offer to perform a contract shall include specified information in that bid or offer.

This bill would require a contractor, as a condition of submitting a bid to a local agency for a public works contract, to fully disclose any history of wage and hour violations, as specified, and provide supporting documentation, as described. The bill would authorize a contractor that fails to provide the required disclosures and supporting materials to be disqualified from the bid. The bill would require a local agency to establish a process for a contractor to appeal their bid disqualification, as specified. By requiring local agencies to establish a bid disqualification appeal process, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would exempt public works contracts covered by a project labor agreement, and projects where local agencies require contractors to prequalify as a condition of bidding.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 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 551, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 4, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 27, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 64. Noes 8. Page 6687.).
5. August 27, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 9.).
7. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (August 13).
9. June 29, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
10. June 17, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 4. Noes 1.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
11. June 11, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
12. June 10, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on L., P.E. & R. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (June 10).