AB 2519: State Teachers’ Retirement System: positions subject to membership.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2026-09-30
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-09-30: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 947, Statutes of 2026.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill expands who must be covered by the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS), adding permitholders (people holding teaching permits) and certain charter school positions that perform, direct, supervise, or administer specified instructional or administrative functions. It also requires charter school governing boards to formally identify which of those positions are subject to STRS membership.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Existing law, the Teachers Retirement Law, establishes the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) and creates the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers Retirement Plan, which provides a defined benefit to members of the program, based on final compensation, credited service, and age at retirement, subject to certain variations. That law requires the Teachers Retirement Board to administer STRS and requires employers and employees to make contributions to STRS based on the members creditable compensation.
Existing law, among other things, defines position subject to membership to mean prescribed positions at various educational institutions, including, among other positions, a position at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, where the position requires the holding of a valid credential, license, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services, as prescribed.
This bill would expand the above-described definition to also include permitholders. The bill would additionally include as a position subject to membership a comparable position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more prescribed functions, as specified.
Existing law requires the board to determine the date that specified provisions related to this definition become operative based on when STRS has the capacity to implement those provisions and to post that date on the internet website of STRS no later than July 1, 2027.
This bill would delete that requirement and would, instead, make this definition of position subject to membership operative on July 1, 2027.
Existing law creates the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is continuously appropriated for specified purposes, into which certain moneys are deposited, including employee contributions.
By expanding the category of positions subject to membership under STRS and affecting the contributions to the retirement fund, the bill would make an appropriation.
Existing law, the Teachers Retirement Law, establishes the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) and creates the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers Retirement Plan, which provides a defined benefit to members of the program, based on final compensation, credited service, and age at retirement, subject to certain variations. That law requires the Teachers Retirement Board to administer STRS and requires employers and employees to make contributions to STRS based on the members creditable compensation.
Existing law, among other things, defines position subject to membership to mean prescribed positions at various educational institutions, including, among other positions, a position at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, where the position requires the holding of a valid credential, license, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services, as prescribed.
This bill would expand the above-described definition to also include permitholders. The bill would additionally include as a position subject to membership a comparable position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more prescribed functions, as specified.
Existing law requires the board to determine the date that specified provisions related to this definition become operative based on when STRS has the capacity to implement those provisions and to post that date on the internet website of STRS no later than July 1, 2027.
This bill would delete that requirement and would, instead, make this definition of position subject to membership operative on July 1, 2027.
Existing law creates the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is continuously appropriated for specified purposes, into which certain moneys are deposited, including employee contributions.
By expanding the category of positions subject to membership under STRS and affecting the contributions to the retirement fund, the bill would make an appropriation.
Existing law, the Teachers Retirement Law, establishes the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) and creates the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers Retirement Plan, which provides a defined benefit to members of the program, based on final compensation, credited service, and age at retirement, subject to certain variations. That law requires the Teachers Retirement Board to administer STRS and requires employers and employees to make contributions to STRS based on the members creditable compensation.
Existing law, among other things, defines position subject to membership to mean prescribed positions at various educational institutions, including, among other positions, a position at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, where the position requires the holding of a valid credential, license, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services, as prescribed.
This bill would expand the above-described definition to also include permitholders. The bill would additionally include as a position subject to membership a comparable position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more prescribed functions, as specified.
Existing law requires the board to determine the date that specified provisions related to this definition become operative based on when STRS has the capacity to implement those provisions and to post that date on the internet website of STRS no later than July 1, 2027.
This bill would delete that requirement and would, instead, make this definition of position subject to membership operative on July 1, 2027.
Existing law creates the Teachers Retirement Fund, which is continuously appropriated for specified purposes, into which certain moneys are deposited, including employee contributions.
By expanding the category of positions subject to membership under STRS and affecting the contributions to the retirement fund, the bill would make an appropriation.
Existing law also creates the Cash Balance Benefit Program to provide a retirement plan for the benefit of participating employees who provide creditable service for less than 50% of full time. Existing law requires that the election to become a participant of the Cash Benefit Balance Program be made in writing on a properly executed form prescribed by STRS and filed with the employer within 60 calendar days of the latest of specified dates, including the first day of employment. Existing law authorizes a member who elects to participate in the Cash Balance Benefit Program to subsequently elect that creditable service performed for the employer be subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program in lieu of the Cash Balance Benefit Program on a properly executed form, as prescribed. Existing law requires these election forms to be received at the STRS headquarters office within 60 calendar days after the date of the employees signature and prior to the submission of contributions.This bill would extend the above-described periods for filing the election forms to 90 days, as specified, and would also extend the timeframe for receipt of the forms at the STRS headquarters office to within 90 days of signature.Existing law, the Teachers Retirement Law, establishes the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) and creates the Defined Benefit Program of the State Teachers Retirement Plan, which provides a defined benefit to members of the program, based on final compensation, credited service, and age at retirement, subject to certain variations.
Existing law also creates the Cash Balance Benefit Program to provide a retirement plan for the benefit of participating employees who provide creditable service for less than 50% of full time. Existing law requires that the election to become a participant of the Cash Benefit Balance Program be made in writing on a properly executed form prescribed by STRS and filed with the employer within 60 calendar days of the latest of specified dates, including the first day of employment. Existing law authorizes a member who elects to participate in the Cash Balance Benefit Program to subsequently elect that creditable service performed for the employer be subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program in lieu of the Cash Balance Benefit Program on a properly executed form, as prescribed. Existing law requires these election forms to be received at the STRS headquarters office within 60 calendar days after the date of the employees signature and prior to the submission of contributions.
This bill would extend the above-described periods for filing the election forms to 90 days, as specified, and would also extend the timeframe for receipt of the forms at the STRS headquarters office to within 90 days of signature.
Existing law specifies requirements for the printing of ballots used in California elections, including requirements regarding a ballots layout, font size, and instructions to voters. Existing law prohibits casting or counting a ballot that is not printed in substantial compliance with these requirements.This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to that provision.Existing law specifies requirements for the printing of ballots used in California elections, including requirements regarding a ballots layout, font size, and instructions to voters. Existing law prohibits casting or counting a ballot that is not printed in substantial compliance with these requirements.
This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to that provision.
(a)Except as otherwise provided under this part, position subject to membership means the following:
(1)A position at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, that the governing body of the employer has designated in a resolution adopted at a public meeting as a position subject to membership for which the employer requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services. The resolution must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(2)A position at a county office of education or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a certificated bargaining unit represented by an exclusive representative, whether by agreement between the exclusive representative and the employer as reflected in a collective bargaining agreement or by written decision of the Public Employment Relations Board. The collective bargaining agreement must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(3)A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment where the position requires the holding of a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 47605.
(4)(A)A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in Section 44065 and is either of the following:
(i)A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services for the position.
(ii)A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services.
(B)In a resolution adopted at a public meeting, the governing body of the charter school eligible to receive state apportionment shall designate each position under subparagraph (A) that is a position subject to membership and shall identify either one of the following:
(i)The function or functions listed in Section 44065 that the position is performing.
(ii)The function or functions listed in Section 44065 that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
(C)The resolution adopted by the governing body of the charter school must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(5)A position at a community college district, that is any of the following:
(A)A faculty member, as defined in Section 87003, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(B)An academic position, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 87001, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(C)An educational administrator, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 87002, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(D)A position pursuant to a contract with the United States Department of Defense to provide vocational training as an employee of a community college employer.
(6)A position as a superintendent of a California public school.
(7)A position that would otherwise be subject to membership in a different public retirement system when held by a member who has elected coverage by the Defined Benefit Program pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22500).
(b)Position subject to membership does not mean and shall not include:
(1)A position that would otherwise be subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program when held by a member of the Public Employees Retirement System who has elected coverage in the Public Employees Retirement System pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22500).
(2)A position that is not employed by an employer or employing agency as defined in Section 22131.
(3)A position at a county office of education or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a noncertificated bargaining unit represented by an exclusive representative, whether by agreement between the exclusive representative and the employer as reflected in a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the date of hire in the position or by written decision of the Public Employment Relations Board.
(c)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2027.
(a)Except as otherwise provided under this part, position subject to membership means the following:
(1)A position at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, that the governing body of the employer has designated in a resolution adopted at a public meeting as a position subject to membership for which the employer requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services. The resolution must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(2)A position at a county office of education or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a certificated bargaining unit represented by an exclusive representative, whether by agreement between the exclusive representative and the employer as reflected in a collective bargaining agreement or by written decision of the Public Employment Relations Board. The collective bargaining agreement must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(3)A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment where the position requires the holding of a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 47605.
(4)(A)A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in Section 44065 and is either of the following:
(i)A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services for the position.
(ii)A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services.
(B)In a resolution adopted at a public meeting, the governing body of the charter school eligible to receive state apportionment shall designate each position under subparagraph (A) that is a position subject to membership and shall identify either one of the following:
(i)The function or functions listed in Section 44065 that the position is performing.
(ii)The function or functions listed in Section 44065 that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
(C)The resolution adopted by the governing body of the charter school must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(5)A position at a community college district, that is any of the following:
(A)A faculty member, as defined in Section 87003, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(B)An academic position, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 87001, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(C)An educational administrator, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 87002, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(D)A position pursuant to a contract with the United States Department of Defense to provide vocational training as an employee of a community college employer.
(6)A position as a superintendent of a California public school.
(7)A position that would otherwise be subject to membership in a different public retirement system when held by a member who has elected coverage by the Defined Benefit Program pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22500).
(b)Position subject to membership does not mean and shall not include:
(1)A position that would otherwise be subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program when held by a member of the Public Employees Retirement System who has elected coverage in the Public Employees Retirement System pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22500).
(2)A position that is not employed by an employer or employing agency as defined in Section 22131.
(3)A position at a county office of education or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a noncertificated bargaining unit represented by an exclusive representative, whether by agreement between the exclusive representative and the employer as reflected in a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the date of hire in the position or by written decision of the Public Employment Relations Board.
(c)This section shall become operative on July 1, 2027.
(a)Except as otherwise provided under this part, position subject to membership means the following:
(1)A position at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, that the governing body of the employer has designated in a resolution adopted at a public meeting as a position subject to membership for which the employer requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services. The resolution must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(2)A position at a county office of education or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a certificated bargaining unit represented by an exclusive representative, whether by agreement between the exclusive representative and the employer as reflected in a collective bargaining agreement or by written decision of the Public Employment Relations Board. The collective bargaining agreement must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(3)A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment where the position requires the holding of a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit, or other document pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section 47605.
(4)(A)A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in Section 44065 and is either of the following:
(i)A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services for the position.
(ii)A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services.
(B)In a resolution adopted at a public meeting, the governing body of the charter school eligible to receive state apportionment shall designate each position under subparagraph (A) that is a position subject to membership and shall identify either one of the following:
(i)The function or functions listed in Section 44065 that the position is performing.
(ii)The function or functions listed in Section 44065 that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
(C)The resolution adopted by the governing body of the charter school must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section as determined by subdivision (c).
(4)(5)A position at a community college district, that is any of the following:
(A)A faculty member, as defined in Section 87003, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(B)An academic position, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 87001, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(C)An educational administrator, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 87002, subject to the appropriate minimum standards adopted by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges pursuant to Section 87356.
(D)A position pursuant to a contract with the United States Department of Defense to provide vocational training as an employee of a community college employer.
(5)(6)A position as a superintendent of a California public school.
(6)(7)A position that would otherwise be subject to membership in a different public retirement system when held by a member who has elected coverage by the Defined Benefit Program pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22500).
(b)Position subject to membership does not mean and shall not include:
(1)A position that would otherwise be subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program when held by a member of the Public Employees Retirement System who has elected coverage in the Public Employees Retirement System pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22500).
(2)A position that is not employed by an employer or employing agency as defined in Section 22131.
(3)A position at a county office of education or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a noncertificated bargaining unit represented by an exclusive representative, whether by agreement between the exclusive representative and the employer as reflected in a collective bargaining agreement in effect on the date of hire in the position or by written decision of the Public Employment Relations Board.
(c)(1)The board shall determine a date based on when the system has the capacity to implement the changes made by the act that added this subdivision. The date determined by the board shall be posted on the internet website of the system no later than July 1, 2027.(2)(c)This section shall become operative on the date determined by the board pursuant to paragraph (1). July 1, 2027.
SECTION 1.Section 26401 of the Education Code is amended to read:26401.(a)(1)A member of the Defined Benefit Program who is employed by an employer that provides the Cash Balance Benefit Program may elect to become a participant of the Cash Balance Benefit Program for creditable service performed for that employer if all employment to perform creditable service for that employer meets either of the following conditions:(A)The member is employed by an employer, excluding a community college district, to perform creditable service on a part-time basis for less than 50 percent of the time the employer requires for the full-time position or on a substitute, part-time hourly, or part-time daily basis.(B)The member is employed by a community college district to perform creditable service on a temporary basis pursuant to Section 87474, 87478, 87480, 87481, 87482, or 87482.5.(2)The election shall be made in writing on a properly executed form prescribed by the system and filed with the employer within 90 calendar days after the first day of employment, or the date of the employers governing boards action to provide the Cash Balance Benefit Program, or the effective date of the employers governing boards action to provide the Cash Balance Benefit Program, whichever occurs later.(3)The election form shall be received at the systems headquarters office within 90 calendar days after the date of the employees signature and prior to the submission of contributions. The employer shall retain a copy of the signed election form.(4)The election shall become effective as of the first day of employment or the effective date of the employers governing boards action to provide the Cash Balance Benefit Program, whichever occurs later.(b)(1)If an employee was excluded from participation in the Cash Balance Benefit Program pursuant to Section 26401.5, as that section read on December 31, 2000, for the same service, the employee may elect to become a participant for creditable service subject to coverage under the Cash Balance Benefit Program for that employer, provided all of the following conditions are met:(A)The employment is pursuant to Section 87474, 87478, 87480, 87481, 87482, or 87482.5.(B)The employer offers the Cash Balance Benefit Program.(C)The creditable service is not also subject to mandatory membership in the Defined Benefit Program.(2)Employers shall, on or before May 1, 2007, make available to employees described in this subdivision, information and forms provided by the system for making an election regarding participation. The employee shall submit the form to the employer within a 90-day election period designated by the employer. The employer shall retain a copy of the employees signed election form and mail the original signed election form to the systems headquarters office. The election shall become effective on the first day of the pay period following the pay period in which the election is made.(c)A member who elects to participate in the Cash Balance Benefit Program pursuant to this section may subsequently elect that creditable service performed for the employer be subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program in lieu of the Cash Balance Benefit Program.(1)The election shall be made in writing on a properly executed form prescribed by the system and filed with the employer at any time while employed to perform creditable service.(2)The election form shall be received at the systems headquarters office within 90 calendar days after the date of the employees signature and prior to the submission of contributions. The employer shall retain a copy of the signed election form.(3)The election shall become effective no earlier than the first day of the pay period in which the election is made and is irrevocable.(a)(1)A member of the Defined Benefit Program who is employed by an employer that provides the Cash Balance Benefit Program may elect to become a participant of the Cash Balance Benefit Program for creditable service performed for that employer if all employment to perform creditable service for that employer meets either of the following conditions:
(A)The member is employed by an employer, excluding a community college district, to perform creditable service on a part-time basis for less than 50 percent of the time the employer requires for the full-time position or on a substitute, part-time hourly, or part-time daily basis.
(B)The member is employed by a community college district to perform creditable service on a temporary basis pursuant to Section 87474, 87478, 87480, 87481, 87482, or 87482.5.
(2)The election shall be made in writing on a properly executed form prescribed by the system and filed with the employer within 60 90 calendar days after the first day of employment, or the date of the employers governing boards action to provide the Cash Balance Benefit Program, or the effective date of the employers governing boards action to provide the Cash Balance Benefit Program, whichever occurs later.
(3)The election form shall be received at the systems headquarters office within 60 90 calendar days after the date of the employees signature and prior to the submission of contributions. The employer shall retain a copy of the signed election form.
(4)The election shall become effective as of the first day of employment or the effective date of the employers governing boards action to provide the Cash Balance Benefit Program, whichever occurs later.
(b)(1)If an employee was excluded from participation in the Cash Balance Benefit Program pursuant to Section 26401.5, as that section read on December 31, 2000, for the same service, the employee may elect to become a participant for creditable service subject to coverage under the Cash Balance Benefit Program for that employer, provided all of the following conditions are met:
(A)The employment is pursuant to Section 87474, 87478, 87480, 87481, 87482, or 87482.5.
(B)The employer offers the Cash Balance Benefit Program.
(C)The creditable service is not also subject to mandatory membership in the Defined Benefit Program.
(2)Employers shall, on or before May 1, 2007, make available to employees described in this subdivision, information and forms provided by the system for making an election regarding participation. The employee shall submit the form to the employer within a 60-day 90-day election period designated by the employer. The employer shall retain a copy of the employees signed election form and mail the original signed election form to the systems headquarters office. The election shall become effective on the first day of the pay period following the pay period in which the election is made.
(c)A member who elects to participate in the Cash Balance Benefit Program pursuant to this section may subsequently elect that creditable service performed for the employer be subject to coverage by the Defined Benefit Program in lieu of the Cash Balance Benefit Program.
(1)The election shall be made in writing on a properly executed form prescribed by the system and filed with the employer at any time while employed to perform creditable service.
(2)The election form shall be received at the systems headquarters office within 60 90 calendar days after the date of the employees signature and prior to the submission of contributions. The employer shall retain a copy of the signed election form.
(3)The election shall become effective no earlier than the first day of the pay period in which the election is made and is irrevocable.
SECTION 1.Section 13200 of the Elections Code is amended to read:13200.Ballots that are not printed in substantial compliance with this chapter shall not be cast nor counted at any election.Ballots that are not printed in substantial compliance with this chapter shall not be cast nor counted at any election.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 947, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep 30, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug 20, 2026 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.). |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 5593.). |
| Aug 18, 2026 | Ordered to special consent calendar. |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 13, 2026 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13). |
| Jun 22, 2026 | In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Jun 10, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 20, 2026 | Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R. |
| May 12, 2026 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 11, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 71. Noes 0.) |
| May 11, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 71. Noes 0. Page 5006.) |
| May 11, 2026 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| May 7, 2026 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 6, 2026 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 6). |
| Apr 22, 2026 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. Read second time and amended. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R. |
| Mar 9, 2026 | Referred to Com. on P. E. & R. |
| Mar 9, 2026 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 21, 2026 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 23. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 20, 2026 | Special Consent AB2519 McKinnor | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Aug 13, 2026 | Do pass | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
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| Jun 22, 2026 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jun 10, 2026 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement |
Passed |
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| May 11, 2026 | AB 2519 McKinnor Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
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| May 6, 2026 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
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| Apr 22, 2026 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Public Employment and Retirement |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| Achieve Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Alder Grove Charter School | ** Support | |
| Allegiance Steam Academy | ** Support | |
| Alliance College-Ready Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Alma Fuerte Public School | ** Support | |
| Alpha Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Altus Schools | ** Support | |
| American Heritage Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Antioch Charter Academy II | ** Support | |
| Aplus+ | ** Support | |
| Arts in Action Community Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Aspen Public Schools, INC. | ** Support | |
| Association Of California School Administrators | ** Support | |
| Big Picture Educational Academy | ** Support | |
| Birmingham Community Charter High School | ** Support | |
| Bridges Preparatory Academy | ** Support | |
| Brookfield Engineering Science Technology | ** Support | |
| Brookfield Engineering Science Technology (Best Academy) | ** Support | |
| Bullis Charter School | ** Support | |
| California Association Of School Business Officials (Casbo) | ** Support | |
| California Charter Schools Association | ** Support | |
| California League of United American Citizens | ** Support | |
| California League of United Latin American Citizens | ** Support | |
| California Montessori Project | ** Support | |
| California Online Public School | ** Support | |
| California Pacific Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| California Republic Leadership Academy | ** Support | |
| Camino Nuevo Charter Academy | ** Support | |
| Central Valley Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Champs Charter High School of the Arts | ** Support | |
| Charter Schools Development Center | ** Support | |
| Chime Institute | ** Support | |
| Choices Charter School | ** Support | |
| Citizens of the World Charter Schools Los Angeles | ** Support | |
| Clarksville Charter School | ** Support | |
| Compass Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Crossroads Charter Academy | ** Support | |
| CWC Los Angeles | ** Support | |
| Da Vinci Schools | ** Support | |
| Dailey Elementary Charter School | ** Support | |
| Desert Trails Preparatory Academy | ** Support | |
| Discovery Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Dr. Lewis Dolphin Stallworth Charter School | ** Support | |
| Dual Language Immersion North County | ** Support | |
| Ednovate | ** Support | |
| Eel River Charter School | ** Support | |
| El Sol Science and Arts Academy | ** Support | |
| Environmental Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Epic Charter School | ** Support | |
| Equitas Academy Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Excel Academy Charter School | ** Support | |
| Extera Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Feaster (Mae L.) Charter School | ** Support | |
| Fenton Charter Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Forest Charter School | ** Support | |
| Forest Ranch Charter | ** Support | |
| Gabriella Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Gateway College and Career Academy | ** Support | |
| Gateway Community Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Gateway Community Charters | ** Support | |
| Girls Athletic Leadership Schools Los Angeles | ** Support | |
| Glacier High School Charter | ** Support | |
| Global Education Collaborative | ** Support | |
| Golden Valley Charter School | ** Support | |
| Gorman Learning Charter Network | ** Support | |
| Granada Hills Charter | ** Support | |
| Great Valley Academy | ** Support | |
| Greater San Diego Academy Charter School | ** Support | |
| Green Dot Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Green Dot Public Schools California | ** Support | |
| Griffin Technology Academies | ** Support | |
| Guajome Schools | ** Support | |
| Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School | ** Support | |
| Hawking Steam Charter School | ** Support | |
| Heritage Peak Charter School | ** Support | |
| High Tech Los Angeles | ** Support | |
| Hometech Charter School | ** Support | |
| iLEAD CA Charters 1 | ** Support | |
| iLEAD California | ** Support | |
| Ingenium Schools | ** Support | |
| Innovations Academy | ** Support | |
| Intellectual Virtues Academy High | ** Support | |
| Invictus Leadership Academy | ** Support | |
| Isana Academies | ** Support | |
| JCS Family Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| JCS Family of Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| John Muir Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Journey School | ** Support | |
| Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy | ** Support | |
| Kairos Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Kepler Neighborhood School | ** Support | |
| Kid Street Charter School | ** Support | |
| KIPP Norcal | ** Support | |
| Kipp Public Schools Northern California | ** Support | |
| LA Educ Corps | ** Support | |
| Lake County International Charter | ** Support | |
| Larchmont Charter School | ** Support | |
| Learning for Life Charter School | ** Support | |
| Learning for Life Charter School K12 | ** Support | |
| Leonardo Da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School | ** Support | |
| Literacy First Charter School K12 | ** Support | |
| Magnolia Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Maria Montessori Charter Academy | ** Support | |
| Matrix for Success Academy | ** Support | |
| Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School | ** Support | |
| Method Schools | ** Support | |
| Montague Charter Academy | ** Support | |
| Motivated Youth Academy | ** Support | |
| Mountain Home School Charter | ** Support | |
| Multicultural Learning Center | ** Support | |
| National Action Network Sacramento | ** Support | |
| Natomas Charter School | ** Support | |
| Navigator Schools | ** Support | |
| New Heights Charter School | ** Support | |
| New Los Angeles Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| New Village Girls Academy | ** Support | |
| New West Charter | ** Support | |
| Northern United Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Northwest Prep Charter School | ** Support | |
| Ocean Charter School | ** Support | |
| Odyssey Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Olive Grove Charter School, Inc. | ** Support | |
| Opportunity Youth Schools Coalition | ** Support | |
| Opportunity Youth Schools Coalition (OYSC) | ** Support | |
| Orange County Academy Of Sciences And Arts | ** Support | |
| Pacific View Charter School | ** Support | |
| Pacoima Charter School | ** Support | |
| Paradise Charter Middle School | ** Support | |
| Pasadena Rosebud Academy Charter School | ** Support | |
| Pazlo Education Foundation | ** Support | |
| Peabody Charter School | ** Support | |
| Pivot Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Port of Los Angeles High School | ** Support | |
| Puente Learning Center | ** Support | |
| Redwood Collegiate Academy | ** Support | |
| River Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| River Oaks Academy Charter School | ** Support | |
| Rocketship Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Rocklin Academy Family of Schools | ** Support | |
| Sage Oak Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| San Diego Virtual School | ** Support | |
| San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School | ** Support | |
| Santa Rosa French-American Charter School | ** Support | |
| Scholarship Prep | ** Support | |
| Sebastopol Independent Charter | ** Support | |
| Shasta Charter Academy | ** Support | |
| Sherman Thomas Charter School | ** Support | |
| Sherwood Montessori | ** Support | |
| SIATech High School | ** Support | |
| Small School Districts Association | ** Support | |
| Soar Charter Academy | ** Support | |
| Sonoma Charter School | ** Support | |
| Sparrow Academy | ** Support | |
| Springs Charter School | ** Support | |
| Springs Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Stem Prep Schools | ** Support | |
| Summit Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Sycamore Creek Community Charter School | ** Support | |
| Synergy Academies | ** Support | |
| Teach Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Temecula Valley Charter School | ** Support | |
| The Cottonwood School | ** Support | |
| The Foundation for Hispanic Education | ** Support | |
| The Grove School | ** Support | |
| The Language Academy of Sacramento | ** Support | |
| The Learning Choice Academy | ** Support | |
| The O’Farrell Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Urban Charter Schools Collective | ** Support | |
| Valley Charter School | ** Support | |
| Valley Life Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Vaughn Next Century Learning Center | ** Support | |
| Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education | ** Support | |
| Vibrant Minds Charter School | ** Support | |
| Vista Charter Public Schools | ** Support | |
| Voices College Bound Language Academies | ** Support | |
| Vox Collegiate | ** Support | |
| Western Sierra Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Westlake Charter School | ** Support | |
| William Finch Charter School | ** Support | |
| Wish Community and Academy Schools | ** Support | |
| Yes Charter Academy | ** Support | |
| YouthBuild Charter School of California | ** Support | |
| Ypi Charter Schools | ** Support | |
| Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter School | ** Support |
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-4171 | AB 2519 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2519
Author: McKinnor (D)
Amended: 4/20/26 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE LABOR, PUB. EMP. & RET. COMMITTEE: 5-0, 6/10/26
AYES: Smallwood-Cuevas, Strickland, Cortese, Durazo, Laird
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/13/26
AYES: Cervantes, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 71-0, 5/11/26 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: State Teachers’ Retirement System: positions subject to membership
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill makes a technical correction to preserve specified public charter school positions’ membership in the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) that Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) inadvertently eliminated.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes CalSTRS to provide a financially sound plan for the retirement of the state’s public school teachers, teachers of schools supported by the state, and other persons employed in connection with the schools. (Education Code § 22001)
- Provides through CalSTRS a defined benefit service retirement and a defined benefit supplement benefit to eligible CalSTRS members, and a cash balance plan for specified persons working less than 50% or employed on a temporary basis, as specified. (Education Code § 24201 et seq., § 25000 et seq., and § 26000 et seq.)
- Establishes specified criteria for CalSTRS membership based on performance of “creditable service” and defines creditable service as a number of specified activities related to educating and providing related services to K-14 students, but provides that this definition becomes inoperative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027.
- Redefines “creditable service” (and thus, the criteria for CalSTRS membership eligibility) to mean service in a “position subject to membership” and provides that this definition shall become operative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027.
- Defines “position subject to membership” to mean several specified positions that provide education or education related services to K-14 students, including positions at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment where the position requires a teaching credential, but provides that this definition shall become operative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027. (Education § 22156.07 and § 22156.07 (3))
This bill:
- Clarifies that “position subject to membership” for purposes of CalSTRS’ eligibility includes a position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in Section 44065 and is either of the following:
a) A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services for the position.
- A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services.
2) Requires an eligible charter school to designate, as specified, each position that is a position subject to membership and to identify either the function or functions that the position is performing which require a teaching credential or that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
3) Requires the charter school’s resolution to be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than July 1, 2027, i.e., the bill’s specified operative date.
Comments
Need for this bill? According to the author:
“This bill corrects an unintended consequence following enactment of Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) that, among other things, defined “position subject to membership” where some positions at charter schools, i.e., administrators, that were previously eligible for membership in the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) were excluded under that definition.”
“While intending to resolve administrative complexity to simplify those matters, Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., had an unintended effect of excluding certain positions, i.e., administrators, at some charter schools under that bill’s definition of “position subject to membership” where those positions previously were not excluded prior to the enactment of that statute.”
“Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., did not remove or take away the pension or pension rights of affected individuals in those positions, but could affect their ability to continue earning service credit for purposes of retirement while employed in those positions. It also is noted that some charter school positions may not require the holding of a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) credential etc., even though comparable positions at non-charter schools might be subject to those requirements.”
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Yes Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, “This bill would result in increased membership in CalSTRS compared to current law, resulting in higher state contributions. The magnitude is unknown, but potentially significant (General Fund)”
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/11/26)
Achieve Charter Schools
Alder Grove Charter School
Allegiance Steam Academy
Alliance College-ready Public Schools
Alma Fuerte Public School
Alpha Public Schools
Altus Schools
American Heritage Charter Schools
Antioch Charter Academy Ii
APlus+
Arts in Action Community Charter Schools
Aspen Public Schools, INC.
Association of California School Administrators
Big Picture Educational Academy
Birmingham Community Charter High School
Bridges Preparatory Academy
Brookfield Engineering Science Technology (best Academy)
Bullis Charter School
California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO)
California Charter Schools Association
California League of United Latin American Citizens
California Montessori Project
California Online Public School
California Pacific Charter Schools
California Republic Leadership Academy
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
Central Valley Charter Schools
Champs Charter High School of the Arts
Charter Schools Development Center
Chime Institute
Choices Charter School
Clarksville Charter School
Compass Charter Schools
Crossroads Charter Academy
CWC Los Angeles
Da Vinci Schools
Dailey Elementary Charter School
Desert Trails Preparatory Academy
Discovery Charter Schools
Dr. Lewis Dolphin Stallworth Charter School
Dual Language Immersion North County
EdNovate
Eel River Charter School
El Sol Science and Arts Academy
Environmental Charter Schools
Epic Charter School
Equitas Academy Charter Schools
Excel Academy Charter School
Extera Public Schools
Feaster (Mae L.) Charter School
Fenton Charter Public Schools
Forest Charter School
Forest Ranch Charter
Gabriella Charter Schools
Gateway College and Career Academy
Gateway Community Charter Schools
Gateway Community Charters
Girls Athletic Leadership Schools Los Angeles
Glacier High School Charter
Global Education Collaborative
Golden Valley Charter School
Gorman Learning Charter Network
Granada Hills Charter
Great Valley Academy
Greater San Diego Academy Charter School
Green DOT Public Schools
Green DOT Public Schools California
Griffin Technology Academies
Guajome Schools
Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School
Hawking Steam Charter School
Heritage Peak Charter School
High Tech Los Angeles
Hometech Charter School
Ilead CA Charters 1
Ilead California
Ingenium Schools
Innovations Academy
Intellectual Virtues Academy High
Invictus Leadership Academy
Isana Academies
JCS Family Charter Schools
JCS Family of Charter Schools
John Muir Charter Schools
Journey School
Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy
Kairos Public Schools
Kepler Neighborhood School
Kid Street Charter School
Kipp NorCal
Kipp Public Schools Northern California
LA Educ Corps
Lake County International Charter
Larchmont Charter School
Learning for Life Charter School
Leonardo Da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School
Literacy First Charter School K12
Magnolia Public Schools
Maria Montessori Charter Academy
Matrix for Success Academy
Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School
Method Schools
Montague Charter Academy
Motivated Youth Academy
Mountain Home School Charter
Multicultural Learning Center
National Action Network Sacramento
Natomas Charter School
Navigator Schools
New Heights Charter School
New Los Angeles Charter Schools
New Village Girls Academy
New West Charter
Northern United Charter Schools
Northwest Prep Charter School
Ocean Charter School
Odyssey Charter Schools
Olive Grove Charter School, INC.
Opportunity Youth Schools Coalition
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts
Pacific View Charter School
Pacoima Charter School
Paradise Charter Middle School
Pasadena Rosebud Academy Charter School
Pazlo Education Foundation
Peabody Charter School
Pivot Charter Schools
Port of Los Angeles High School
Puente Learning Center
Redwood Collegiate Academy
River Charter Schools
River Oaks Academy Charter School
Rocketship Public Schools
Rocklin Academy Family of Schools
Sage Oak Charter Schools
San Diego Virtual School
San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School
Santa Rosa French-American Charter School
Scholarship Prep
Sebastopol Independent Charter
Shasta Charter Academy
Sherman Thomas Charter School
Sherwood Montessori
SiaTech High School
Small School Districts Association
Soar Charter Academy
Sonoma Charter School
Sparrow Academy
Springs Charter School
Springs Charter Schools
Stem Prep Schools
Summit Public Schools
Sycamore Creek Community Charter School
Synergy Academies
Teach Public Schools
Temecula Valley Charter School
The Cottonwood School
The Foundation for Hispanic Education
The Grove School
The Language Academy of Sacramento
The Learning Choice Academy
The O’Farrell Charter Schools
Urban Charter Schools Collective
Valley Charter School
Valley Life Charter Schools
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education
Vibrant Minds Charter School
Vista Charter Public Schools
Voices College Bound Language Academies
Vox Collegiate
Western Sierra Charter Schools
Westlake Charter School
William Finch Charter School
Wish Community and Academy Schools
Yes Charter Academy
YouthBuild Charter School of California
Ypi Charter Schools
Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter School
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/11/26)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
According to a coalition of public charter schools:
“As enacted, AB 1997 (2024) revised the criteria for participation in the CalSTRS system by shifting from a “creditable service” standard to a “position subject to membership” framework. While intended to streamline eligibility determinations, this change has had unintended consequences for charter public schools due to differences in how administrative roles are structured and classified.”
“Absent a legislative fix, many charter school administrators who have historically participated in CalSTRS, and who continue to perform comparable duties to their traditional public school counterparts, will lose eligibility beginning July 1, 2027. This creates a clear inconsistency in retirement access between employees performing similar work in different public school settings.”
“In addition, the change disrupts long-standing career pathways for educators. Charter school teachers, who previously could advance into leadership positions without sacrificing their retirement benefits, will now face a difficult choice between professional advancement and maintaining CalSTRS membership. This risks discouraging leadership development and complicating recruitment and retention efforts across the charter public school sector.”
“AB 2519 addresses this issue by ensuring continuity of eligibility for charter school employees who would otherwise be excluded under the revised framework. By doing so, the bill restores parity, preserves reasonable expectations for current members, and supports a stable and effective educator workforce.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 71-0, 5/11/26
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Ramos, Ransom, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Arambula, DeMaio, Gallagher, Lowenthal, Quirk-Silva, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Solache, Soria
Prepared by: Glenn Miles / L., P.E. & R. / (916) 651-1556
8/14/26 10:47:40
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular Session
AB 2519 (McKinnor) - State Teachers’ Retirement System: positions subject to membership
Version: | Policy Vote: |
Urgency: | Mandate: |
Hearing Date: | Consultant: |
Bill Summary:
AB 2519 would make a technical correction to preserve specified public charter school positions’ membership in the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) that legislation enacted in 2024 inadvertently eliminated.
Fiscal Impact:
This bill would result in increased membership in CalSTRS compared to current law, resulting in higher state contributions. The magnitude is unknown, but potentially significant (General Fund, see Staff Comments).
Background:
For purposes of retirement benefits for certificated school employees, current law establishes CalSTRS to provide a financially sound retirement program for public school teachers and other eligible school employees. CalSTRS administers several retirement benefit programs, including a defined benefit retirement plan, a defined benefit supplement program, and a cash balance benefit plan for certain part-time and temporary employees. Existing law establishes eligibility for CalSTRS membership based on the performance of “creditable service,” which is currently defined as specified educational and student-support activities. However, with the enactment of AB 1997 (McKinnor, 2024), this definition is scheduled to become inoperative on a date determined by CalSTRS, but no later than July 1, 2027. At that time, eligibility for CalSTRS membership will instead be based on service performed in a “position subject to membership,” a newly established standard that includes specified educational and education-related positions serving K–14 students, including certain credentialed positions at charter schools that receive state apportionment funding. This transition is intended to modernize and clarify membership eligibility criteria while maintaining retirement coverage for qualifying school employees.
While intended to streamline eligibility determinations, the change brought by AB 1997 has had unintended consequences for charter public schools due to differences in how administrative roles are structured and classified. Absent a legislative fix, many charter school administrators who have historically participated in CalSTRS, and who continue to perform comparable duties to their traditional public school counterparts, will lose eligibility beginning July 1, 2027.
Proposed Law:
This bill would do the following:
- Clarify that “position subject to membership” for purposes of CalSTRS’ eligibility includes a position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in Section 44065 and is either of the following:
- A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services for the position.
- A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services.
- Require an eligible charter school to designate, as specified, each position that is a position subject to membership and to identify either the function or functions that the position is performing which require a teaching credential or that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
- Require the charter school’s resolution to be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than July 1, 2027, as specified.
Related Legislation:
AB 1997 (McKinnor, Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024) amended key provisions of the Teachers’ Retirement Law (TRL) related to creditable compensation, creditable service, and the reporting of compensation, effective upon a date determined by CalSTRS, no later than July 1, 2027.
Staff Comments:
As noted above, AB 1997, in amending key provisions of the Teachers’ Retirement Law related to creditable compensation, creditable service, and the reporting of compensation, inadvertently left certain charter school staff ineligible for participation in CalSTRS beginning July 1, 2027. This bill would allow for continued eligibility for affected charter school employees. Because CalSTRS programs are funded, in part, by contributions from the State, the result would be increased state support over what would occur until current law.
Under the CalSTRS Funding Plan, the state contribution rate for 2027-28 (the first year that this bill would take effect) is likely to be in the range of 4 percent to 11 percent. of compensation. Thus, as an order of magnitude and assuming an average annual compensation of $100,000, the annual increase in state support for every 100 charter school employees whose eligibility is restored under the bill could reach $1.1 million.
END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND RETIREMENT
Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: AB 2519 Hearing Date: June 10, 2026
Author: | McKinnor | ||
Version: | April 20, 2026 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Glenn Miles | ||
SUBJECT: State Teachers’ Retirement System: positions subject to membership.
KEY ISSUE
This bill makes a technical correction to preserve specified public charter school positions’ membership in the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) that Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) inadvertently eliminated.
ANALYSIS
Existing law:
- Establishes the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to provide a financially sound plan for the retirement of the state’s public school teachers, teachers of schools supported by the state, and other persons employed in connection with the schools. (Education Code § 22001)
- Provides through CalSTRS a defined benefit service retirement and a defined benefit supplement benefit to eligible CalSTRS members, and a cash balance plan for specified persons working less than fifty percent or employed on a temporary basis, as specified. (Education Code § 24201 et seq., § 25000 et seq., and § 26000 et seq.)
- Establishes specified criteria for CalSTRS membership based on performance of “creditable service” and defines creditable service as a number of specified activities related to educating and providing related services to K-14 students, but provides that this definition becomes inoperative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027.
- Redefines “creditable service” (and thus, the criteria for CalSTRS membership eligibility) to mean service in a “position subject to membership” and provides that this definition shall become operative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027.
- Defines “position subject to membership” to mean several specified positions that provide education or education related services to K-14 students, including positions at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment where the position requires a teaching credential, but provides that this definition shall become operative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027. (Education § 22156.07 and § 22156.07 (3))
This bill:
- Clarifies that “position subject to membership” for purposes of CalSTRS’ eligibility includes a position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in Section 44065 and is either of the following:
- A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services for the position.
- A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services.
2) Requires an eligible charter school to designate, as specified, each position that is a position subject to membership and to identify either the function or functions that the position is performing which require a teaching credential or that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
3) Requires the charter school’s resolution to be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than July 1, 2027, i.e., the bill’s specified operative date.
COMMENTS
1. Need for this bill?
According to the author:
“This bill corrects an unintended consequence following enactment of Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) that, among other things, defined “position subject to membership” where some positions at charter schools, i.e., administrators, that were previously eligible for membership in the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) were excluded under that definition.”
“While intending to resolve administrative complexity to simplify those matters, Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., had an unintended effect of excluding certain positions, i.e., administrators, at some charter schools under that bill’s definition of “position subject to membership” where those positions previously were not excluded prior to the enactment of that statute.”
“Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., did not remove or take away the pension or pension rights of affected individuals in those positions, but could affect their ability to continue earning service credit for purposes of retirement while employed in those positions. It also is noted that some charter school positions may not require the holding of a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) credential etc., even though comparable positions at non-charter schools might be subject to those requirements.”
2. Proponent Arguments
According to a coalition of public charter schools:
“As enacted, AB 1997 (2024) revised the criteria for participation in the CalSTRS system by shifting from a “creditable service” standard to a “position subject to membership” framework. While intended to streamline eligibility determinations, this change has had unintended consequences for charter public schools due to differences in how administrative roles are structured and classified.”
“Absent a legislative fix, many charter school administrators who have historically participated in CalSTRS, and who continue to perform comparable duties to their traditional public school counterparts, will lose eligibility beginning July 1, 2027. This creates a clear inconsistency in retirement access between employees performing similar work in different public school settings.”
“In addition, the change disrupts long-standing career pathways for educators. Charter school teachers, who previously could advance into leadership positions without sacrificing their retirement benefits, will now face a difficult choice between professional advancement and maintaining CalSTRS membership. This risks discouraging leadership development and complicating recruitment and retention efforts across the charter public school sector.”
“AB 2519 addresses this issue by ensuring continuity of eligibility for charter school employees who would otherwise be excluded under the revised framework. By doing so, the bill restores parity, preserves reasonable expectations for current members, and supports a stable and effective educator workforce.”
3. Opponent Arguments:
None received.
4. Prior Legislation:
AB 1997 (McKinnor, Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024) amended key provisions of the Teachers’ Retirement Law (TRL) related to creditable compensation, creditable service, and the reporting of compensation, effective upon a date determined by CalSTRS, no later than July 1, 2027.
SUPPORT
Support
Achieve Charter Schools
Alder Grove Charter School
Allegiance Steam Academy
Alliance College-ready Public Schools
Alma Fuerte Public School
Alpha Public Schools
Altus Schools
American Heritage Charter Schools
Antioch Charter Academy II
Aplus+
Arts in Action Community Charter Schools
Aspen Public Schools, INC.
Association of California School Administrators
Big Picture Educational Academy
Birmingham Community Charter High School
Bridges Preparatory Academy
Brookfield Engineering Science Technology
Bullis Charter School
California Association of School Business Officials
California Charter Schools Association
California League of United Latin American Citizens
California Montessori Project
California Online Public School
California Pacific Charter Schools
California Republic Leadership Academy
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
Central Valley Charter Schools
Champs Charter High School of the Arts
Charter Schools Development Center
Chime Institute
Choices Charter School
Clarksville Charter School
Compass Charter Schools
Crossroads Charter Academy
CWC Los Angeles
Da Vinci Schools
Dailey Elementary Charter School
Desert Trails Preparatory Academy
Discovery Charter Schools
Dr. Lewis Dolphin Stallworth Charter School
Dual Language Immersion North County
Ednovate
Eel River Charter School
El Sol Science and Arts Academy
Environmental Charter Schools
Epic Charter School
Equitas Academy Charter Schools
Excel Academy Charter School
Extera Public Schools
Feaster (Mae L.) Charter School
Fenton Charter Public Schools
Forest Charter School
Forest Ranch Charter
Gabriella Charter Schools
Gateway College and Career Academy
Gateway Community Charter Schools
Girls Athletic Leadership Schools Los Angeles
Glacier High School Charter
Global Education Collaborative
Golden Valley Charter School
Gorman Learning Charter Network
Granada Hills Charter
Great Valley Academy
Greater San Diego Academy Charter School
Green DOT Public Schools
Green DOT Public Schools California
Griffin Technology Academies
Guajome Schools
Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School
Hawking Steam Charter School
Heritage Peak Charter School
High Tech Los Angeles
Hometech Charter School
Ilead CA Charters 1
Ilead California
Ingenium Schools
Innovations Academy
Intellectual Virtues Academy High
Invictus Leadership Academy
Isana Academies
JCS Family of Charter Schools
John Muir Charter Schools
Journey School
Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy
Kairos Public Schools
Kepler Neighborhood School
Kid Street Charter School
KIPP Norcal
KIPP Public Schools Northern California
LA Educ Corps
Lake County International Charter
Larchmont Charter School
Learning for Life Charter School
Leonardo Da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School
Literacy First Charter School K12
Magnolia Public Schools
Maria Montessori Charter Academy
Matrix for Success Academy
Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School
Method Schools
Montague Charter Academy
Motivated Youth Academy
Mountain Home School Charter
Multicultural Learning Center
National Action Network Sacramento
Natomas Charter School
Navigator Schools
New Heights Charter School
New Los Angeles Charter Schools
New Village Girls Academy
New West Charter
Northern United Charter Schools
Northwest Prep Charter School
Ocean Charter School
Odyssey Charter Schools
Olive Grove Charter School, INC.
Opportunity Youth Schools Coalition (OYSC)
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts
Pacific View Charter School
Pacoima Charter School
Paradise Charter Middle School
Pasadena Rosebud Academy Charter School
PazLo Education Foundation
Peabody Charter School
Pivot Charter Schools
Port of Los Angeles High School
Puente Learning Center
Redwood Collegiate Academy
River Charter Schools
River Oaks Academy Charter School
Rocketship Public Schools
Rocklin Academy Family of Schools
Sage Oak Charter Schools
San Diego Virtual School
San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School
Santa Rosa French-American Charter School
Scholarship Prep
Sebastopol Independent Charter
Shasta Charter Academy
Sherman Thomas Charter School
Sherwood Montessori
SIATech High School
Small School Districts Association
Soar Charter Academy
Sonoma Charter School
Sparrow Academy
Springs Charter Schools
Stem Prep Schools
Summit Public Schools
Sycamore Creek Community Charter School
Synergy Academies
Teach Public Schools
Temecula Valley Charter School
The Cottonwood School
The Foundation for Hispanic Education
The Grove School
The Language Academy of Sacramento
The Learning Choice Academy
The O’Farrell Charter Schools
Urban Charter Schools Collective
Valley Charter School
Valley Life Charter Schools
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education
Vibrant Minds Charter School
Vista Charter Public Schools
Voices College-Bound Language Academies
Vox Collegiate
Western Sierra Charter Schools
Westlake Charter School
William Finch Charter School
WISH Community and Academy Schools
Yes Charter Academy
YouthBuild Charter School of California
YPI Charter Schools
Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter School
OPPOSITION
None received
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND RETIREMENT
Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: AB 2519 Hearing Date: June 10, 2026
Author: | McKinnor | ||
Version: | April 20, 2026 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Glenn Miles | ||
SUBJECT: State Teachers’ Retirement System: positions subject to membership.
KEY ISSUE
This bill makes a technical correction to preserve specified public charter school positions’ membership in the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) that Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) inadvertently eliminated.
ANALYSIS
Existing law:
- Establishes the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to provide a financially sound plan for the retirement of the state’s public school teachers, teachers of schools supported by the state, and other persons employed in connection with the schools. (Education Code § 22001)
- Provides through CalSTRS a defined benefit service retirement and a defined benefit supplement benefit to eligible CalSTRS members, and a cash balance plan for specified persons working less than fifty percent or employed on a temporary basis, as specified. (Education Code § 24201 et seq., § 25000 et seq., and § 26000 et seq.)
- Establishes specified criteria for CalSTRS membership based on performance of “creditable service” and defines creditable service as a number of specified activities related to educating and providing related services to K-14 students, but provides that this definition becomes inoperative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027.
- Redefines “creditable service” (and thus, the criteria for CalSTRS membership eligibility) to mean service in a “position subject to membership” and provides that this definition shall become operative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027.
- Defines “position subject to membership” to mean several specified positions that provide education or education related services to K-14 students, including positions at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment where the position requires a teaching credential, but provides that this definition shall become operative on a date to be determined by CalSTRS but not later than July 1, 2027. (Education § 22156.07 and § 22156.07 (3))
This bill:
- Clarifies that “position subject to membership” for purposes of CalSTRS’ eligibility includes a position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in Section 44065 and is either of the following:
- A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services for the position.
- A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing or the State Department of Health Care Services.
2) Requires an eligible charter school to designate, as specified, each position that is a position subject to membership and to identify either the function or functions that the position is performing which require a teaching credential or that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
3) Requires the charter school’s resolution to be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be effective retroactively to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than July 1, 2027, i.e., the bill’s specified operative date.
COMMENTS
1. Need for this bill?
According to the author:
“This bill corrects an unintended consequence following enactment of Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) that, among other things, defined “position subject to membership” where some positions at charter schools, i.e., administrators, that were previously eligible for membership in the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) were excluded under that definition.”
“While intending to resolve administrative complexity to simplify those matters, Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., had an unintended effect of excluding certain positions, i.e., administrators, at some charter schools under that bill’s definition of “position subject to membership” where those positions previously were not excluded prior to the enactment of that statute.”
“Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., did not remove or take away the pension or pension rights of affected individuals in those positions, but could affect their ability to continue earning service credit for purposes of retirement while employed in those positions. It also is noted that some charter school positions may not require the holding of a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) credential etc., even though comparable positions at non-charter schools might be subject to those requirements.”
2. Proponent Arguments
According to a coalition of public charter schools:
“As enacted, AB 1997 (2024) revised the criteria for participation in the CalSTRS system by shifting from a “creditable service” standard to a “position subject to membership” framework. While intended to streamline eligibility determinations, this change has had unintended consequences for charter public schools due to differences in how administrative roles are structured and classified.”
“Absent a legislative fix, many charter school administrators who have historically participated in CalSTRS, and who continue to perform comparable duties to their traditional public school counterparts, will lose eligibility beginning July 1, 2027. This creates a clear inconsistency in retirement access between employees performing similar work in different public school settings.”
“In addition, the change disrupts long-standing career pathways for educators. Charter school teachers, who previously could advance into leadership positions without sacrificing their retirement benefits, will now face a difficult choice between professional advancement and maintaining CalSTRS membership. This risks discouraging leadership development and complicating recruitment and retention efforts across the charter public school sector.”
“AB 2519 addresses this issue by ensuring continuity of eligibility for charter school employees who would otherwise be excluded under the revised framework. By doing so, the bill restores parity, preserves reasonable expectations for current members, and supports a stable and effective educator workforce.”
3. Opponent Arguments:
None received.
4. Prior Legislation:
AB 1997 (McKinnor, Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024) amended key provisions of the Teachers’ Retirement Law (TRL) related to creditable compensation, creditable service, and the reporting of compensation, effective upon a date determined by CalSTRS, no later than July 1, 2027.
SUPPORT
Achieve Charter Schools
Alder Grove Charter School
Allegiance Steam Academy
Alliance College-ready Public Schools
Alma Fuerte Public School
Alpha Public Schools
Altus Schools
American Heritage Charter Schools
Antioch Charter Academy II
APLUS+
Arts in Action Community Charter Schools
Aspen Public Schools, Inc.
Association of California School Administrators
Big Picture Educational Academy
Birmingham Community Charter High School
Bridges Preparatory Academy
Bullis Charter School
California Charter Schools Association
California League of United Latin American Citizens
California Montessori Project
California Pacific Charter Schools
California Republic Leadership Academy
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
CHAMPS Charter High School of the Arts
Charter Schools Development Center
CHIME Institute
Clarksville Charter School
Compass Charter Schools
Crossroads Charter Academy
Citizens of the World Charter Schools Los Angeles
Da Vinci Schools
Desert Trails Preparatory Academy
Discovery Charter Schools
Dual Language Immersion North County
Ednovate
Eel River Charter School
El Sol Science and Arts Academy
Environmental Charter Schools
EPIC Charter School
Equitas Academy Charter Schools
Excel Academy Charter School
Extera Public Schools
Fenton Charter Public Schools
Forest Charter School
Forest Ranch Charter
Gabriella Charter Schools
Gateway College and Career Academy
Gateway Community Charters
Girls Athletic Leadership Schools Los Angeles
Glacier High School Charter
Golden Valley Charter School
Gorman Learning Charter Network
Great Valley Academy
Greater San Diego Academy Charter School
Green DOT Public Schools
Griffin Technology Academies
Guajome Schools
Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School
Hawking STEAM Charter School
Heritage Peak Charter School
High Tech Los Angeles
HomeTech Charter School
iLead CA Charters 1
iLead California
Ingenium Schools
Innovations Academy
Intellectual Virtues Academy High
Invictus Leadership Academy
ISANA Academies
JCS Family of Charter Schools
John Muir Charter Schools
Journey School
Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy
Kairos Public Schools
Kepler Neighborhood School
Kid Street Charter School
KIPP Public Schools Northern California
Lake County International Charter
Larchmont Charter School
Learning for Life Charter School
Leonardo Da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School
Literacy First Charter School K12
Magnolia Public Schools
Maria Montessori Charter Academy
Matrix for Success Academy
Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School
Method Schools
Montague Charter Academy
Motivated Youth Academy
Mountain Home School Charter
Multicultural Learning Center
National Action Network Sacramento
Natomas Charter School
Navigator Schools
New Heights Charter School
New Los Angeles Charter Schools
New Village Girls Academy
New West Charter
Northern United Charter Schools
Northwest Prep Charter School
Ocean Charter School
Odyssey Charter Schools
Olive Grove Charter School, Inc.
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts
Pacific View Charter School
Pasadena Rosebud Academy Charter School
Pazlo Education Foundation
Port of Los Angeles High School
PUENTE Learning Center
Redwood Collegiate Academy
River Charter Schools
River Oaks Academy Charter School
Rocklin Academy Family of Schools
Sage Oak Charter Schools
San Diego Virtual School
San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School
Santa Rosa French-American Charter School
Scholarship Prep
Sebastopol Independent Charter
Shasta Charter Academy
Sherman Thomas Charter School
Sherwood Montessori
SOAR Charter Academy
Sparrow Academy
Springs Charter Schools
STEM Prep Schools
Summit Public Schools
Sycamore Creek Community Charter School
Synergy Academies
TEACH Public Schools
Temecula Valley Charter School
The Cottonwood School
The Foundation for Hispanic Education
The Grove School
The Language Academy of Sacramento
The Learning Choice Academy
The O’Farrell Charter Schools
Urban Charter Schools Collective
Valley Charter School
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education
Vibrant Minds Charter School
Vista Charter Public Schools
Vox Collegiate
Western Sierra Charter Schools
Westlake Charter School
William Finch Charter School
WISH Community and Academy Schools
YES Charter Academy
YPI Charter Schools
Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter School
OPPOSITION
None received
-- END --
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 2519
Author:(McKinnor)
As Amended Ver:April 20, 2026
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Corrects an unintended consequence following enactment of Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) that, among other things, defined "position subject to membership" where some positions at charter schools that were previously eligible for membership in the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) were excluded under that definition.
Major Provisions
- Expands, by including permitholders within, and clarifies the definition of, "position subject to membership" by adding provisions to existing law to include positions in charter schools as follows:
- A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in existing law, as specified, and is either of the following:
- A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) or the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the position.
- A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the CTC or DHCS.
- Requires, in a resolution adopted at a public meeting, the governing body of the charter school eligible to receive state apportionment to designate each position, as specified, that is a position subject to membership and to identify either one of the following:
- The function or functions listed in existing law, as specified, that the position is performing.
- The function or functions listed in existing law, as specified, that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
- Requires the resolution adopted by the governing body of the charter school to be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be retroactively effective to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section, as provided.
- Maintains the operative date of the definition of "position subject to membership" as July 1, 2027.
COMMENTS
On a number of occasions over the years, payroll information reported to CalSTRS by various education employers was later determined by the system to be incorrect for purposes of calculating a retirement allowance. This often resulted in a required reduction to the retirement allowance of retirees due to retirement allowance overpayments based on that information – even though the employee who subsequently retired was not responsible for submitting that information to the system. This matter was addressed by Chapter 754, Statutes of 2022 (Assembly Bill 1667, Cooper), followed by Chapter 708, Statutes of 2023 (Senate Bill 327, Laird).
Following years of what some may refer to as "analysis paralysis" where CalSTRS performed substantially tedious and complex reviews and determinations of creditable service for purposes of a calculating a retirement allowance based on payroll information submitted to the system by employers, Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., was intended to be a final measure following those two statutes to resolve administrative complexity for employers and the system that also benefitted CalSTRS members and retirees.
While intending to resolve administrative complexity to simplify those matters, that bill had an unintended effect of excluding certain positions, i.e., administrators, at some charter schools from being able to continue participation in CalSTRS under that bill's definition of "position subject to membership" where those positions previously were not excluded prior to the enactment of that statute.
It is noted that the bill did not remove or take away the pension or vested pension rights of affected individuals in those positions, but could affect their ability to continue earning service credit for purposes of retirement while employed in those positions. It is further noted that some charter school administrator positions may not require the holding of a CTC credential etc., even though comparable positions at non-charter schools might be subject to those requirements. However, that requirement did not exist prior to the enactment of that bill, and CTC credentialing requirements is extraneous to the underlying premise and purpose of this bill.
According to the Author
"This bill simply corrects an unintended effect of my bill – AB 1997 from 2024. The ability of some positions at some charter schools that were previously included in the system, but were excluded while we focused on simplifying complexity for employers, CalSTRS, and it's members and retirees, is something that we must correct for fairness purposes so that people in those positions can continue to earn service credit towards their retirement in the future."
Arguments in Support
Numerous supporters state, "[as] enacted, [Assembly Bill 1997, 2024] revised the criteria for participation in the CalSTRS system by shifting from a "creditable service" standard to a "position subject to membership" framework. While intended to streamline eligibility determinations, this change has had unintended consequences for charter public schools due to differences in how administrative roles are structured and classified. Absent a legislative fix, many charter school administrators who have historically participated in CalSTRS, and who continue to perform comparable duties to their traditional public school counterparts, will lose eligibility beginning July 1, 2027. This creates a clear inconsistency in retirement access between employees performing similar work in different public school settings. In addition, the change disrupts long-standing career pathways for educators. Charter school teachers, who previously could advance into leadership positions without sacrificing their retirement benefits, will now face a difficult choice between professional advancement and maintaining CalSTRS membership. This risks discouraging leadership development and complicating recruitment and retention efforts across the charter public school sector. [This bill] addresses this issue by ensuring continuity of eligibility for charter school employees who would otherwise be excluded under the revised framework. By doing so, the bill restores parity, preserves reasonable expectations for current members, and supports a stable and effective educator workforce."
Arguments in Opposition
None.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, this bill would result in no new state costs.
VOTES
ASM PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND RETIREMENT: 7-0-0
YES: McKinnor, Lackey, Alanis, Boerner, Garcia, Nguyen, Michelle Rodriguez
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1
YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Ta, Tangipa
ABS, ABST OR NV: Arambula
UPDATED
VERSION: April 20, 2026
CONSULTANT: Michael Bolden / P. E. & R. / (916) 319-3957 FN: 0002497
Date of Hearing: May 6, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2519
Author:(McKinnor) – As Amended Ver:April 20, 2026
Policy Committee: | Public Employment and Retirement | Vote: | 7 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill provides eligibility for membership in the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to teachers meeting specified criteria at a charter school and requires a charter school governing body, in a publicly adopted resolution, to designate each position subject to membership.
FISCAL EFFECT:
No new state costs.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. According to the author:
This bill simply corrects an unintended effect of my bill – AB 1997 from 2024. The ability of some positions at some charter schools that were previously included in the system, but were excluded while we focused on simplifying complexity for employers, CalSTRS, and it’s members and retirees, is something that we must correct for fairness purposes so that people in those positions can continue to earn service credit towards their retirement in the future.
- Background. CalSTRS administers the state’s teacher retirement program to certificated school employees. Two programs administered by CalSTRS pertinent to this bill are the Defined Benefit program and the Defined Benefit Supplement program. CalSTRS’ Defined Benefit program provides a retirement benefit each month to qualified educators. CalSTRS’ Defined Benefit Supplement program cash balance plan provides additional savings for retirement to qualified educators. Funds come from compensation earned from service in one school year in excess of one year of service credit and limited-term salary increases. At retirement, a retired teacher can elect how to receive the funds in the program through an annuity, a lump-sum distribution or a combination of the two.
Benefits provided to teachers upon retirement through the Defined Benefit program and the Defined Benefit Supplement program are calculated based on several variables, including information related to compensation and service credit. A teacher’s employer reports this information to CalSTRS. AB 1997 (McKinnor), Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024, amended key provisions of the Teachers’ Retirement Law (TRL) related to creditable compensation, creditable service, and the reporting of compensation, but inadvertently left a large number of charter school teachers ineligible for participation in CalSTRS beginning July 1, 2027. According to the California Charter Schools Association:
AB 2519 will ensure that all charter school employees that were previously eligible under the old definition of ‘creditable service’ will remain eligible under the new definition, and no employees will lose their benefits when the law is implemented on July 1, 2027.
Analysis Prepared by: Aaron Heredia / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 22, 2026
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND RETIREMENT
Tina S. McKinnor, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2519 (
Author:McKinnor) – As Amended Ver:April 20, 2026
SUBJECT: Cash Balance Benefit Program: member election: filing timeframe
SUMMARY: Corrects an unintended consequence following enactment of Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) that, among other things, defined “position subject to membership” where some positions at charter schools that were previously eligible for membership in the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) were excluded under that definition. Specifically, this bill:
- Expands, by including permitholders within, and clarifies the definition of, “position subject to membership” by adding provisions to existing law to include positions in charter schools as follows:
- A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment that is performing, directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering one or more functions listed in existing law, as specified, and is either of the following:
- A position for which the charter school requires the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) or the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the position.
- A position that, if it were at a county office of education or school district, not including a charter school, would require the holding of a valid credential, license, permit, or certificate authorized by the CTC or DHCS.
- Requires, in a resolution adopted at a public meeting, the governing body of the charter school eligible to receive state apportionment to designate each position, as specified, that is a position subject to membership and to identify either one of the following:
- The function or functions listed in existing law, as specified, that the position is performing.
- The function or functions listed in existing law, as specified, that the position is directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering.
- Requires the resolution adopted by the governing body of the charter school to be in effect on the date of hire in the position or be retroactively effective to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but no earlier than the operative date of this section, as provided.
- Maintains the operative date of the definition of “position subject to membership” as July 1, 2027.
EXISTING LAW:
- Provides, pursuant to Section 17, art. XVI, Cal. Const., that "the members of the retirement board of a public pension or retirement system shall discharge their duties with respect to the system solely in the interest of, and for the exclusive purposes of providing benefits to, participants and their beneficiaries, minimizing employer contributions thereto, and defraying reasonable expenses of administrating the system….”
- Establishes CalSTRS which provides a Defined Benefit (DB) pension plan, a Defined Benefit Supplement (DBS) program, and a Cash Balance (CB) Benefit program to certificated school employees. CalSTRS is regulated by, and administers, certain sections of the Educ. Code, commonly referred to as the Teachers’ Retirement Law (TRL).
- Establishes that the purposes of CalSTRS is to provide a financially sound plan for the retirement, with adequate retirement allowances, of teachers in the public schools of this state, and other persons employed in connection with the schools. (Section 22001, Educ. Code.)
- Defines, includes, and expressly excludes the following from the definition of “position subject to membership” (Section 22156.07, Educ. Code):
- Definition
- A position at a county office of education (COE) or school district, not including a charter school, that the governing body of the employer has designated in a resolution adopted at a public meeting as a position subject to members where a valid credential, license, or certificate authorized by the CTC or DHCS, is required. Further, the resolution must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or retroactively effective to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but not earlier, as prescribed.
- A position at a COE or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a certificated bargaining unit (BU) represented by an exclusive representative, as prescribed. Further, the collective bargaining agreement must be in effect on the date of hire in the position or retroactively effective to include the position as of the date of hire, whichever is later, but not earlier, as prescribed.
- A position at a charter school eligible to receive state apportionment where the position requires the holding of a CTC certificate, permit, or other document, as provided.
- A position at a community college district (CCD) that is a faculty member; an academic position; an educational administrator; a position pursuant to a contract with the United States Department of Defense (U.S. DOD); a position as a superintendent of a California public school; and, a position that would otherwise be subject to membership in a different retirement system, as respectively prescribed for each.
- Inclusions
As applied to positions in which a member performed creditable service before the operative date of the “position subject to membership” definition, and provided that the same member remains continuously employed to perform service in that position on and after the operative date of the same, the following positions must also be included in the definition:
- A position in which a member performed creditable service, as prescribed, and
- A position in which the member performed certain prescribed activities.
However, these specific inclusions must not apply to a member who becomes employed by the same or different employer in a new position on or after the operative date of these provisions, and as provided.
- Exclusions
- A position that would be subject to coverage in the CalSTRS DB program when held by a California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) member who elected coverage in the CalSTRS DB program;
- A position that is not employed by an employer or employing agency, as provided; and,
- A position at a COE or school district, including a charter school, that is included in a noncertificated BU represented by an exclusive representative, as prescribed.
- Provides, among other things, that persons employed by a school district or county superintendent of schools in a position in which 50 percent or more of their duties performed during the school year consists in directing, coordinating, supervising, or administering functions must have a valid teaching or service credential, whichever is designated in CTC regulations authorizing the particular service, and expressly enumerates the types of functions. (Section 44065, Educ. Code.)
- Establishes the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013 – a comprehensive reform of public employee retirement that, among other things, increased contribution rates towards retirement, decreased retirement benefit formulas, and increased the age of retirement that apply to new members of the system first hired on or after January 1, 2013, and made changes that apply to all members towards resolving unfunded liabilities, manipulation of compensation for purposes of calculating a retirement allowance (e.g., pensions spiking and double-dipping), and included other prescribed best practice measures as a matter of prudent public policy. (Sections 7522.02 et seq., Gov. Code.)
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is flagged as fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Brief Background Regarding CalSTRS
CalSTRS administers a hybrid retirement system consisting of traditional DB benefits, cash balance, and a voluntary defined contribution plan, as discussed below.
CalSTRS administers a DB Program that provides a lifetime monthly benefit upon attaining a combination of the requisite minimum years of age and service for retirement, commonly referred to as “vesting” or “vested.” Consisting of a combination of contributions from the state, employer, and employee, this benefit has varying formulas depending on when the employee began performing CalSTRS creditable service activities. The varying formulas, consisting of two, are a result of legislative enactment of the PEPRA. Regarding DB contribution rates, the employer contributes an amount equal to approximately 19.10 percent of the employee’s creditable compensation, and the State contributes approximately 8.328 percent of CalSTRS members’ annual creditable compensation, as well as approximately 2.5 percent of CalSTRS members’ earnings to pay for purchasing power protection.[1] Depending on what formula applies to the employee, employees contribute approximately 10.25 percent (for the 2 percent at 60 formula), or 10.205 percent (for the 2 percent at 62 formula) of their creditable earnings. Mandatory DB Program membership depends on the employee’s status, the type of employer and, in some cases, whether the employer offers the CB Benefit Program. However, temporary and adjunct employees are excluded from mandatory membership.
CalSTRS’ CB Program is a DB Supplement (DBS) where the employer’s and employee’s contributions on eligible earnings are credited to the employee’s DBS account. This account accrues guaranteed interest and, when the CalSTRS Board declares, additional earnings credits. When the employee retires, they are eligible to receive a lump-sum payment or annuity based on the total account balance. This DBS Program is a cash balance plan for DB Program members for earnings in excess of one year in a school year and other specific compensation. CalSTRS’ Cash Balance CB Program also is a retirement plan that employers can offer part-time educators, or another eligible retirement plan, as an alternative to the DB Program or social security.
CalSTRS’ Defined Contribution (DC) Plan, also called “Pension2,” offers 403(b), 457(b), Roth 403(b), and Roth 457(b) investment plans for additional income in retirement. Open to all school employees, the amount an employee has at retirement depends on their contributions, investment gains and losses, and expenses. Typically, employees contribute 4 percent of their salary, and the employer must contribute an amount equal to at least 4 percent of the employee’s salary.
Background Regarding This Bill
On a number of occasions over the years, payroll information reported to CalSTRS by various education employers was later determined by the system to be incorrect for purposes of calculating a retirement allowance. This often resulted in a required reduction to the retirement allowance of retirees due to retirement allowance overpayments based on that information – even though the employee who subsequently retired was not responsible for submitting that information to the system. This matter was addressed by Chapter 754, Statutes of 2022 (Assembly Bill 1667, Cooper), followed by Chapter 708, Statutes of 2023 (Senate Bill 327, Laird).
Following years of what some may refer to as “analysis paralysis” where CalSTRS performed substantially tedious and complex reviews and determinations of creditable service for purposes of a calculating a retirement allowance based on payroll information submitted to the system by employers, Assembly Bill 1997, ibid., was intended to be a final measure following those two statutes to resolve administrative complexity for employers and the system that also benefitted CalSTRS members and retirees.
While intending to resolve administrative complexity to simplify those matters, that bill had an unintended effect of excluding certain positions, i.e., administrators, at some charter schools under its definition of “position subject to membership” where those positions previously were not excluded prior to the enactment of that statute.
It is noted that the bill did not remove or take away the pension or vested pension rights of affected individuals in those positions, but could affect their ability to continue earning service credit for purposes of retirement while employed in those positions. It is further noted that some charter school administrator positions may not require the holding of a CTC credential etc., even though comparable positions at non-charter schools might be subject to those requirements. However, that requirement did not exist prior to the enactment of that bill, and CTC credentialing requirements is extraneous to the underlying premise and purpose of this bill.
Author’s Statement
“This bill simply corrects an unintended effect of my bill – AB 1997 from 2024. The ability of some positions at some charter schools that were previously included in the system, but were excluded while we focused on simplifying complexity for employers, CalSTRS, and it’s members and retirees, is something that we must correct for fairness purposes so that people in those positions can continue to earn service credit towards their retirement in the future.”
Comments by Supporters
Numerous supporters state, “[as] enacted, [Assembly Bill 1997, 2024] revised the criteria for participation in the CalSTRS system by shifting from a “creditable service” standard to a “position subject to membership” framework. While intended to streamline eligibility determinations, this change has had unintended consequences for charter public schools due to differences in how administrative roles are structured and classified. Absent a legislative fix, many charter school administrators who have historically participated in CalSTRS, and who continue to perform comparable duties to their traditional public school counterparts, will lose eligibility beginning July 1, 2027. This creates a clear inconsistency in retirement access between employees performing similar work in different public school settings. In addition, the change disrupts long-standing career pathways for educators. Charter school teachers, who previously could advance into leadership positions without sacrificing their retirement benefits, will now face a difficult choice between professional advancement and maintaining CalSTRS membership. This risks discouraging leadership development and complicating recruitment and retention efforts across the charter public school sector. [This bill] addresses this issue by ensuring continuity of eligibility for charter school employees who would otherwise be excluded under the revised framework. By doing so, the bill restores parity, preserves reasonable expectations for current members, and supports a stable and effective educator workforce.”
Comments by Opponents
None on file.
Prior or Related Legislation
Chapter 690, Statutes of 2024 (Assembly Bill 1997, McKinnor) amended key provisions of the Teachers’ Retirement Law (TRL) related to creditable compensation, creditable service, and the reporting of compensation, effective upon a date determined by CalSTRS, no later than July 1, 2027.
Chapter 708, Statutes of 2023 (Senate Bill 327, Laird) reduced, effective on a date no later than January 1, 2026, determined by CalSTRS, the timeframe that a member of the may backdate their service retirement or service retirement during evaluation of a disability application from as early as January 1, 2012, or June 1, 2014, respectively, to up to 270 calendar days prior to when CalSTRS receives their application.
Chapter 754, Statutes of 2022 (Assembly Bill 1667, Cooper) prescribed various requirements in connection with audits by CalSTRS of public agencies and members of the system; CalSTRS' interpretation and clarification of rules relating to creditable compensation; CalSTRS' review of compensation items included in a memorandum of understanding or collective bargaining agreement; errors relating employer reporting of compensation to the system; and, the recovery of payments, among other provisions.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Achieve Charter Schools
Alder Grove Charter School
Allegiance Steam Academy
Alliance College-ready Public Schools
Alma Fuerte Public School
Alpha Public Schools
Altus Schools
American Heritage Charter Schools
Antioch Charter Academy II
APLUS+
Arts in Action Community Charter Schools
Aspen Public Schools, INC.
Big Picture Educational Academy
Birmingham Community Charter High School
Bridges Preparatory Academy
Bullis Charter School
California Charter Schools Association
California League of United Latin American Citizens
California Montessori Project
California Pacific Charter Schools
California Republic Leadership Academy
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
CHAMPS Charter High School of the Arts
Charter Schools Development Center
CHIME Institute
Clarksville Charter School
Compass Charter Schools
Crossroads Charter Academy
CWC Los Angeles
Da Vinci Schools
Desert Trails Preparatory Academy
Discovery Charter Schools
Dual Language Immersion North County
Ednovate
Eel River Charter School
El Sol Science and Arts Academy
Environmental Charter Schools
EPIC Charter School
Equitas Academy Charter Schools
Excel Academy Charter School
Extera Public Schools
Fenton Charter Public Schools
Forest Charter School
Forest Ranch Charter
Gabriella Charter Schools
Gateway College and Career Academy
Gateway Community Charters
Girls Athletic Leadership Schools Los Angeles
Glacier High School Charter
Golden Valley Charter School
Gorman Learning Charter Network
Great Valley Academy
Greater San Diego Academy Charter School
Green DOT Public Schools
Griffin Technology Academies
Guajome Schools
Harvest Ridge Cooperative Charter School
Hawking STEAM Charter School
Heritage Peak Charter School
High Tech Los Angeles
Hometech Charter School
iLEAD CA Charters 1
iLEAD California
Ingenium Schools
Innovations Academy
Intellectual Virtues Academy High
Invictus Leadership Academy
ISANA Academies
JCS Family of Charter Schools
John Muir Charter Schools
Journey School
Julia Lee Performing Arts Academy
Kairos Public Schools
Kepler Neighborhood School
Kid Street Charter School
KIPP Public Schools Northern California
Lake County International Charter
Larchmont Charter School
Learning for Life Charter School
Leonardo da Vinci Health Sciences Charter School
Literacy First Charter School K12
Magnolia Public Schools
Maria Montessori Charter Academy
Matrix for Success Academy
Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School
Method Schools
Montague Charter Academy
Motivated Youth Academy
Mountain Home School Charter
Multicultural Learning Center
National Action Network Sacramento
Natomas Charter School
Navigator Schools
New Heights Charter School
New Los Angeles Charter Schools
New Village Girls Academy
New West Charter
Northern United Charter Schools
Northwest Prep Charter School
Ocean Charter School
Odyssey Charter Schools
Olive Grove Charter School, Inc.
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts
Pacific View Charter School
Pasadena Rosebud Academy Charter School
PazLo Education Foundation
Port of Los Angeles High School
PUENTE Learning Center
Redwood Collegiate Academy
River Charter Schools
River Oaks Academy Charter School
Rocklin Academy Family of Schools
Sage Oak Charter Schools
San Diego Virtual School
San Jose Conservation Corps and Charter School
Santa Rosa French-American Charter School
Scholarship Prep
Sebastopol Independent Charter
Shasta Charter Academy
Sherman Thomas Charter School
Sherwood Montessori
SOAR Charter Academy
Sparrow Academy
Springs Charter Schools
STEM Prep Schools
Summit Public Schools
Sycamore Creek Community Charter School
Synergy Academies
TEACH Public Schools
Temecula Valley Charter School
The Cottonwood School
The Foundation for Hispanic Education
The Grove School
The Language Academy of Sacramento
The Learning Choice Academy
The O’Farrell Charter Schools
Urban Charter Schools Collective
Valley Charter School
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center
Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education
Vibrant Minds Charter School
Vista Charter Public Schools
Vox Collegiate
Western Sierra Charter Schools
Westlake Charter School
William Finch Charter School
WISH Community and Academy Schools
YES Charter Academy
YPI Charter Schools
Yuba County Career Preparatory Charter School
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Bolden / P. E. & R. / (916) 319-3957
Purchasing power protection is a built-in protection against inflation, also referred to as inflation protection, to help ensure quality of living during retirement. ↑
Discussed in Hearing
38SEC
Assembly Floor
8MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Public Employment and Retirement
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):