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WHAT'S NEW IN FEBRUARY

CEO MESSAGE

In February each year, the pace in Sacramento accelerates, but during the second year of the legislative session, it always moves a bit faster. This year, however, the number of bills being introduced is coming in at a slower pace. Only 213 bills have been introduces as of last week. The bill introduction deadline of February 20 is rapidly approaching, making the next two weeks pivotal as legislators finalize proposals that will shape California’s healthcare landscape.

ACHD’s advocacy team is closely tracking emerging legislation that could impact healthcare districts. As always, see Sarah Bridge's message below for the most recent updates.

Legislative committee hearings will begin ramping up later this month, and ACHD will update members on priority bills and ways districts can effectively engage to amplify their voices on issues of importance.

Looking Ahead: ACHD Board Retreat — February 26–27, 2026

We are just weeks away from ACHD’s annual Board Retreat, hosted this year in Sacramento. This gathering is more than a meeting—it’s a moment for reflection, renewal, and strategy setting for the year ahead.

Over two days, the Board will chart ACHD’s 2026 priorities with a focus on strengthening district leadership, expanding alignment across California’s healthcare system, and deepening our advocacy impact. Together, we’ll explore how healthcare districts can remain anchors of access and innovation in their communities, especially as state and federal reforms continue to reshape care delivery.

Every challenge presents an opportunity to lead. The spirit that defines California’s healthcare districts—local control, community trust, and patient-first commitment—will guide our conversations and decisions.

With gratitude,

Bill introductions are off to a slow start with relatively few bills (only 213 as of 2/2/26) introduced, leaving thousands more anticipated for introduction by the February 20, 2026, bill introduction deadline. ACHD continues to work diligently on two-year bills that remain eligible to move and are analyzing the budget and bill proposals as they are introduced.

Legislation:

AB 1113 (Gonzalez): Would have created the 90% mission care spend requirement for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), did fail to meet its two-year deadline and is dead for the year. ACHD was neutral on the measure based on amendments to remove public and tribal clinics. However, the bill marks a much larger policy discussion. While we do anticipate the legislature revisits this conversation, for now this is done.



SB 947 (McNerney): For those who remember, SB 7 (McNerney, 2025) was vetoed by the Governor. SB 7 would have subject nearly every system to a pre- and post-use notice to employees and established new requirements on employers related to these notifications with regard to AI and automated decision making. SB 947 is a reintroduction of SB 7 with some modifications. ACHD is currently evaluating the bill.

Other Legislative Updates:

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has selected 14 Assemblymembers for the first cohort of a new “Outcomes Review” Oversight Project, designed to evaluate whether recently enacted laws are delivering real results for Californians.

Each participating Assemblymember will focus on one or more laws in key policy areas—such as housing, health, climate, and public safety—and will publicly review what is working, what is not, and what legislative fixes may be needed. Hearings and community meetings tied to these reviews will be scheduled during the 2026 legislative session, creating new opportunities for residents, stakeholders, and local partners to weigh in on how state policy is playing out on the ground. The full press release is available, here.