AB 1383, PORAC’s co-sponsored bill with the California Professional Firefighters addressing recruitment and retention challenges in public safety, is advancing.
After being introduced last year, the bill passed the Assembly at the end of January and is now awaiting assignment to Senate policy committees. PORAC is prioritizing this legislation in 2026.

Across California, agencies are struggling to recruit and retain qualified peace officers. Experienced officers are leaving early, and potential recruits are increasingly drawn to other states offering stronger retirement security. AB 1383 provides local agencies and associations with the ability to negotiate enhanced retirement formulas, including up to 3% at 55 for post-2026 safety members, through collective bargaining.

The bill also allows for discussions around aligning outdated pensionable compensation caps with today’s economic realities. These updates help ensure retirement benefits better reflect the demands of modern policing rather than the workforce conditions that existed when PEPRA was enacted.

This is not about undoing reforms. It is about giving local leaders the flexibility to remain competitive and retain the dedicated professionals who serve their communities.

For PORAC members, AB 1383 supports the long-term strength of a public safety career in California. As the bill moves into the Senate, PORAC will be encouraging local outreach to legislative leaders across the state to help advance the measure. This effort will take engagement at every level. It will be all hands on deck.