SB 2 X1
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SENATE THIRD READING
SB 2 X1 (Wiener and Gabriel)
As Amended January 10, 2025
Majority vote. Budget Bill Appropriation Takes Effect Immediately
SUMMARY
Amends the 2024 Budget Act to provide $25 million of additional General Fund resources for
immigration and legal aid services.
Major Provisions
Provides $25 million (one-time General Fund) in the 2024 budget act for immigration services,
specifically;
1) Appropriates $10 million to the Legal Services Trust Fund to provide legal services to
vulnerable persons at risk of detention, deportation, eviction, wage theft, intimate partner
violence, and other actions that put their safety at risk, as a result of potential or actual federal
action;
2) Adds $10 million to the Immigration Services Funding program (also called "One California
program") at the Department of Social Services for immigration services funding;
3) Increases $5 million to the Judicial Council, to be distributed through the California Access to
Justice Commission to nonprofit providers of legal services.
4) Specifies that up to 2.5% of funding provided for each item in this bill can be used for
administrative expenses and requires reporting to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
COMMENTS
This bill amends the 2024 Budget Act to augment funding for three existing state programs that
serve immigrant communities. This additional funding is intended to help fortify the existing legal
aid services network in anticipation of workload increases from adverse federal actions against
immigrant communities in the State. The three specific programs receiving an increase are:
1) Legal Services Trust Fund Commission: The Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, within
the State Bar, administers the Equal Access Fund which provides grants to 100 nonprofit
organizations for indigent legal assistance across the state. The total program in the 2024
budget act is $40 million and this bill would add $10 million to the program to current legal
service providers to provide legal services to vulnerable persons at risk as a result of federal
action.
2) Immigration Services Funding or "One California": Since 2015, the Department of Social
Services has had contracts with approximately 85 nonprofits to provide free immigration legal
services, community outreach and education, and other critical immigrant inclusion efforts.
The 2024 budget included $45 million for this program, which is an on-going base funding
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amount. This bill would increase the amount of funding available by $10 million for a total of
$55 million for the current fiscal year.
3) Access to Justice: The Access to Justice Commission administers a grant program to legal aid
service providers to increase their service capacity. The 2024 Budget Act includes $5 million
for this program, which would be increased to $10 million.
According to the Author
This bill provides funding to allow California residents to assert their legal rights in a court of
law.
Arguments in Support
None on file.
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
This bill appropriates $25 million General Fund in the current 2024-25 fiscal year.
VOTES
SENATE FLOOR: 28-8-3
YES: Allen, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Cortese,
Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Padilla,
Pérez, Richardson, Rubio, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Weber Pierson, Wiener
NO: Alvarado-Gil, Choi, Dahle, Grove, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Seyarto, Valladares
ABS, ABST OR NV: Archuleta, Jones, Reyes
UPDATED
VERSION: January 10, 2025
CONSULTANT: Christian Griffith and Genevieve McCloy / BUDGET / (916) 319-2099 FN:
0000017