State lawmakers’ time in Sacramento this year has come to an end. “Interim study recess,” as it’s formally known, began on September 13th after Legislators worked late into the night to pass bills through the State Senate and Assembly, sending legislation to Governor Newsom’s desk for a signature or veto.

Two of CSEA’s sponsored bills are now awaiting action by Governor Newsom. Assembly Bill (AB) 374, authored by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove), would establish a uniform standard for employee paystub information. The bill requires employers to provide classified school employees with an accurate statement of net wages earned, gross wages earned, total hours worked, rates of pay for those hours, and any deductions from gross pay. This will help classified employees catch payroll errors much faster to ensure that employers are accurately paying wages owed.

AB 378, authored by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim), would expand eligibility for participation in the Classified School Employee Summer Assistance Program (CSESAP) to classified employees working for educational Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs). CSESAP provides a critical lifeline for classified school employees who work 11 months or less. It allows classified employees earning less than $62,400 annually to set aside up to ten percent of their monthly paychecks during the school year to receive up to a dollar-for-dollar match from the state during the summer. This bill will ensure that all eligible classified school employees have access to CSESAP, not just those employed by school districts and County Offices of Education.

In addition to our policy legislation, one of CSEA’s budget priorities was included in the Legislature’s budget agreement and awaits Governor Newsom’s signature. Senate Bill (SB) 148 will allow classified school employees working at community colleges to access food pantry services offered by the college’s Basic Needs Center.

Far too many classified school employees are food insecure. This legislation redirects funds unused by the Classified Community College Employee Summer Assistance Program to the community college Basic Needs Center food pantries so that both students and school employees with the greatest needs can find support. This idea came directly from community college classified employees who serve on CSEA’s member-led Community College Committee.

“I’m so grateful to see an idea conceived by our committee just over a year ago be adopted by the Legislature,” said Fauzi Hamadeh, Chair of CSEA’s Community College Committee. “Sometimes our union siblings need a helping hand. Our campus food pantries should be a place where both students and school employees can go without shame or fear of being turned away.”

Governor Newsom has until midnight on October 13th to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature. More information CSEA’s 2025 sponsored legislation can be found at this link.

Cassie Mancini is a Legislative Advocate in CSEA’s Governmental Relations Department.