The California Guaranteed Income Statewide Feasibility Study Act.

Assembly Members Lee and Schultz propose establishing a comprehensive research framework to evaluate the potential expansion of California's guaranteed income programs into a permanent, statewide initiative. Their legislation directs the State Department of Social Services to contract with California-based academic institutions to develop detailed recommendations for program design, funding mechanisms, and implementation approaches.

The bill creates a structured process for examining how guaranteed income programs could reach more economically vulnerable Californians. It requires contractors to analyze sustainable funding options, administrative requirements, and methods to preserve participants' eligibility for existing social services. The research must specifically consider high-cost-of-living regions and incorporate lessons from current pilot programs.

A steering committee would guide this work, comprising guaranteed income program operators and participants from across California, along with research experts. The legislation mandates participation from multiple state agencies, requiring data sharing between departments like Health Care Services, Public Health, and the Franchise Tax Board to inform the analysis. Priority populations for study include single heads of household, survivors of intimate partner violence, undocumented immigrants, seniors in poverty, and transition-age foster youth.

The Department of Social Services must submit findings on statewide expansion feasibility to the Governor and Legislature by January 2028. The bill authorizes the department to implement the research program without additional regulatory action and accept both public and private funding, subject to legislative appropriation.