AB 713: Public postsecondary education: student employment.

Official summary

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

The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth the missions and functions of the public institutions of higher education, including the University of California, administered by the Regents of the University of California, the California State University, administered by the Trustees of the California State University, and the California Community Colleges, administered by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. The provisions of the Donahoe Higher Education Act apply to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, make them applicable.

This bill would prohibit the University of California, California State University, or California Community Colleges from disqualifying a student from being hired for an employment position due to the student’s failure to provide proof of federal work authorization, except where that proof is required by federal law or where that proof is required as a condition of a grant that funds the particular employment position for which the student has applied.

This bill would require the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges to treat a specified prohibition in federal law on hiring undocumented noncitizens as inapplicable because that provision does not apply to any branch of state government. The bill would further provide that, to the extent student employment is considered a “benefit” for purposes of federal law, the bill constitutes authorization to provide that benefit for purposes of specified federal law.

This bill would require the University of California, the California State University, and the California Community Colleges to implement the bill by January 6, 2027. The bill’s provisions would apply to the University of California, unless it is found inapplicable to the University of California and then only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, make them applicable. By imposing new duties on community college districts, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 9

“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 20, 2026Vetoed by Governor.
2. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
3. August 28, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 58. Noes 13. Page 6786.).
4. August 27, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
5. August 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 10.).
6. August 17, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 13, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
8. August 13, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 13).
9. August 13, 2026In committee: Reconsideration of a favorable vote granted.
10. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
11. June 25, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. June 17, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 9. Noes 2.) (June 16). Re-referred to Com. on ED.