A new state bill would speed certifications and give hiring preference to formerly incarcerated firefighters, aiming to turn trained hand‑crew members into career Cal Fire hires.

After AB 1 became operative on July 1, 2026, legislative staff across California quietly began organizing around comp time, promotions and pay.

AB 713 would let undocumented students access paid campus jobs at UC, CSU and community colleges; it cleared a Senate committee and now goes to Appropriations.