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OAKLAND, Calif. — On September 30, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1099 into law in Sacramento. SB 1099 (Reyes) confirms that local jurisdictions in California, including the City of Oakland, may continue using local dollars to provide services to all of their residents regardless of their immigration status. A federal law known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act or PRWORA generally limits access to public benefits based on immigration status.
Without SB 1099, the Trump Administration might have expanded its interpretation of PRWORA in an attempt to bar local California government agencies from providing certain benefits based on the recipient’s immigration status. The bill, which received broad bipartisan support in the California Legislature, makes it clear that counties, cities, and hospital districts have the option to provide state or local public benefits to residents regardless of federal limitations based on immigration status. Federal law explicitly allows a state to enact this type of exemption.
“Local governments know their communities and the needs of their residents best, and they should have the clarity and flexibility to respond to those needs,” said Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton). “SB 1099 gives cities and counties greater certainty that they can use state and local resources, at their discretion, to meet people where they are and provide critical services when their communities need them. I am grateful to the City of Oakland and our partners for recognizing the importance of protecting this local authority, and to Governor Newsom for signing SB 1099 into law.”
SB 1099 was sponsored by the Civil Prosecutors Coalition, which represents seven of the largest City Attorney and County Counsel offices in California. Jordan Flanders, a Deputy City Attorney in the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, first raised the need for new legislation. She identified that changes in how the Trump Administration was interpreting federal law put critical homelessness programs at risk, because it simply is not possible to confirm the immigration status for unhoused persons who have in many cases lost their vital documents. Additionally, expansion of the federal prohibitions could put critical emergency services at risk—like suicide hotlines—where demanding proof of immigration status before providing time sensitive services could be life threatening. Flanders and Supervising Deputy City Attorney Luke Edwards played a key role in educating legislators about the underlying issues, helping usher in the bill’s ultimate passage.
“I’m proud to lead this team of thoughtful and strategic attorneys who are always thinking about how we can best serve the people of Oakland,” said Oakland City Attorney Ryan Richardson. “With SB 1099 now on the books, Oakland, and other cities and counties throughout the state, can continue to provide essential services to California residents in need, regardless of immigration status.
“This law is simply good policy,” added Richardson. “Local governments like Oakland now will not have to deny or delay services to our communities, including life-saving interventions, and will not be forced to investigate our residents’ immigration status to provide locally funded services.”
“SB 1099 is an important safeguard against the Trump Administration’s continued attempts to interfere with state and local governments’ delivery of critical safety‑net programs to our most vulnerable populations,” said Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti, chair of the Civil Prosecutors Coalition. “In California, we believe every resident should have the opportunity to live with dignity and have their basic needs met, regardless of their immigration status. The Civil Prosecutors Coalition was proud to co‑sponsor this bill, and we are grateful to our local government partners for their advocacy, and Senator Reyes for her leadership, and to the Legislature and Governor for standing strong in affirming California as a place that serves and welcomes everyone.”
The Civil Prosecutors Coalition was founded in 2021. Its members represent millions of California residents, accounting for more than 40% of the state’s population. The coalition fosters innovative litigation strategies and drives impactful legislative and policy initiatives. City Attorney Richardson will serve as vice chair of the coalition starting in Fall 2026.
