Assembly Member Gabriel, joined by Senator Wiener, proposes allocating $25 million through the Budget Act of 2024 to expand access to civil legal services and immigration-related assistance for vulnerable Californians.

The legislation directs $10 million to the Judicial Council for distribution through the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission as grants to qualified legal services projects and support centers. These funds will support civil legal services for indigent persons facing detention, deportation, eviction, wage theft, intimate partner violence, and other safety risks stemming from federal actions. Individual grants must be at least $25,000, with administrative costs capped at 2.5%.

An additional $10 million would flow through the Department of Social Services for grants and contracts with organizations providing immigration-related services, including removal defense. The Department may transfer portions of these funds internally to support program administration.

The measure also provides $5 million to supplement the Judicial Council's existing contract with the California Access to Justice Commission, allowing expanded grants to nonprofit legal service providers. This funding likewise carries a 2.5% cap on administrative expenses.

All funds must be encumbered by June 2026 and spent by June 2028. Both the Judicial Council and Department of Social Services must report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on grant recipients, award amounts, and grant periods after distributing the funds.