What AB 1798 does
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, September 2, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Wilson introduced AB 1798 on . The text was amended 0 times, and heard in 8 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 27, 2026: 57 ayes, 18 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 27, 2026: 40 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 27, 2026: 30 ayes, 0 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 28, 2026: 55 ayes, 12 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Insurance, April 15, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Privacy and Consumer Protection], 11-5.
- Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection, April 21, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 11-4.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass., 12-2.
- Senate Insurance, June 24, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection], 5-0.
- Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection, June 29, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 8-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 3, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass as amended, 6-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 1798
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 24, 2026 lists 43 organizations in support and 3 in opposition. When Assembly Insurance first listed positions on April 14, 2026, the count was 28 in support and 3 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 24, 2026 it was 43 to 3.
In support: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara / California Department of Insurance (sponsor); ALS Association; ALS Network; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network INC; American Kidney Fund; Ancestry; Angioma Alliance D/B/A Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformation; Association of Northern California Oncologists; and 35 more.
Opposed: American Council of Life Insurers; Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies; National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - California.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 8, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for health care organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The health care group at Capitol Axis handles that for health care clients.
Questions about AB 1798
What does AB 1798 do?
AB 1798 concerns genetic testing for life and disability insurance. See the Legislative Counsel's Digest on leginfo for the full summary.
Has AB 1798 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 8, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes AB 1798?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 24, 2026 lists 43 organizations in support and 3 in opposition. Supporters include Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara / California Department of Insurance (sponsor); ALS Association; ALS Network. Opponents include American Council of Life Insurers; Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies; National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - California.
What happens next with AB 1798?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect.