California Victim Compensation Board
Legislative Update
January 15, 2026
SB 490 (Umberg) Alcohol and Drug Programs
On January 5, 2026, this bill was gutted and amended and is no longer relevant to CalVCB. Previously, it would have made changes to the process for considering the claims of erroneously convicted individuals. As amended, the bill now relates to the oversight of drug and alcohol programs.
Status: Amended
AB 1100 (Sharp-Collins) Victim Compensation
This bill would make changes to victim compensation statutes. The bill would eliminate involvement in the events leading to the qualifying crime and lack of cooperation with law enforcement as reasons for denial of an application. It would expand the forms of evidence that can verify a qualifying crime in lieu of a police report and prevent CalVCB from seeking other information about eligibility from third parties if one of those forms of evidence is submitted. It would remove the prohibition against compensation of a claimant while they are on parole, probation, postrelease community supervision, or mandatory supervision, or required to register as a sex offender. It would also expand compensation for income loss to include individuals who were not employed at the time of the crime and guarantee a minimum level of compensation based on working 35 hours per week at minimum wage.
Status: Held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in 2025 (Two-year bill)
AB 938 (Bonta) Criminal Procedure: Sentencing
This bill would expand affirmative defenses and vacatur relief eligibility for a person who committed an offense while they were the victim of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, or sexual violence. As any additional individuals who have their sentences vacated as a result of the bill would also have any imposed restitution vacated, it may result in a decrease in restitution collections. The bill states that any unpaid restitution, fines, or fees vacated shall not affect eligibility for compensation from CalVCB. However, unpaid restitution currently is not an eligibility factor.
Status: Held on the Suspense File in the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2025 (Two-year bill)