California SB1194: Immigration Legal Fellowship Project.

What the bill says

An act to add Section 13309 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to immigration services. immigration services Immigration Legal Fellowship Project. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, subject to an appropriation, to provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations through contracts, in order to provide certain immigration-related legal services to persons residing in, or formerly residing in, the state…

From the enrolled text, August 20, 2026:

An act to add Section 13309 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to immigration services. immigration services Immigration Legal Fellowship Project. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, subject to an appropriation, to provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations through contracts, in order to provide certain immigration-related legal services to persons residing in, or formerly residing in, the state. Under existing law, those grants are aimed at obtaining certain immigration remedies and benefits, assisting with the naturalization process and an appeal arising from the process, or providing legal training and technical assistance. This bill would establish the Immigration Legal Fellowship Project within the department for the purpose of expanding access to high-quality immigration legal services by supporting legal fellowships for qualified individuals who provide immigration legal services under the grant programs described above. The bill would require the department to award grants or enter into contracts with nonprofit entities to operate legal fellowships that include specified components, including, among other things, the recruitment, placement, coordination, and hosting of legal fellows. The bill would authorize the department to establish eligibility criteria, application requirements, and funding priorities for the program. The bill would require the department to include specified information relating to the use of funds appropriated for the purposes of the project in reports and updates provided to …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Anna Caballero (D, SD14) · primary sponsor
• Alex Lee (D, AD24)
• Celeste Rodriguez (D, AD43)
• Durazo, Maria Elena (D, SD26)
• Sade Elhawary (D, AD57)
• Ash Kalra (D, AD25)

Latest actions

1. September 27, 2026: In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2. September 27, 2026: Vetoed by the Governor.
3. August 24, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. August 19, 2026: In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 13, 2026: Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
6. August 13, 2026: From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (August 13).
7. August 13, 2026: Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
8. August 5, 2026: August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
9. June 23, 2026: Coauthors revised.
10. June 23, 2026: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

Votes

• SB 1194 Caballero Senate Third Reading By Bonta (August 19, 2026): 59 yea, 12 nay, passed
• Do pass. (August 13, 2026): 11 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] (June 23, 2026): 9 yea, 3 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary] (June 16, 2026): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB1194 Caballero et al. (May 19, 2026): 30 yea, 9 nay, passed
• Do pass (May 14, 2026): 5 yea, 2 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1194?

SB1194 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Immigration Legal Fellowship Project.

What does SB1194 do?

In its own words: An act to add Section 13309 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to immigration services. immigration services Immigration Legal Fellowship Project. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, subject to an appropriation, to provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations through contracts, in order to provide certain immigration-related legal services to persons residing in, or formerly residing in, the state…

What is the status of SB1194?

Vetoed as of September 27, 2026. Latest action: In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending. (September 27, 2026).

Who sponsored SB1194?

Anna Caballero (D, SD14), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB1194?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1194