SACRAMENTO— Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced today that all of California's school building projects will now be required to use prequalified contractors, following the Governor's signature on AB 1433.
"After the collapse of Lynwood High School due to shoddy construction work, I knew the legislature needed to take action to prevent this from happening again. The safety of our kids cannot depend on how a school project was funded. Now, school districts will have the information they need to make informed hiring decisions, and protect our kids and teachers," said Speaker Emeritus Rendon. I want to thank Governor Newsom for his signature on this bill, co-author Senator Lena Gonzalez for her steadfast advocacy, and the State Building and Construction Trades Council and Lynwood Unified School District for their support".
This law was inspired by the June 2020 collapse of Lynwood High School, when eight tons of roof collapsed onto the ground below. A district investigation found the collapse was linked to design flaws and construction errors by the contractor.
"Three years ago, Lynwood High School collapsed due to poor construction work. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but this was a significant problem that needed addressing to avoid potential future incidents," said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D – Long Beach). "Today, I am pleased that AB 1433 has been signed into law. This legislation ensures that contractors are prequalified for all school construction projects, regardless of the state funding source. I extend my gratitude to Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon for his partnership in advancing this legislation, and to Governor Newsom for signing this bill into law to protect the safety of California's students, teachers, and staff."
Under previous California law, only school facilities projects utilizing bond funds were required to prequalify their contractors, meaning they collect information on work experience, financial status, and any potential legal violations. Schools built with general fund dollars, such as Lynwood High School, had no such requirements. This bill corrected that discrepancy.
AB 1433 goes into effect on January 1, 2024.
Website of Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon: https://a62.asmdc.org/
CONTACT: Katie.Talbot@asm.ca.gov (for Rendon)
Leoda.Valenzuela@sen.ca.gov (for Gonzalez)