At the January 31, 2026 meeting of the ACSS Board of Directors, the ACSS Board voted to sponsor legislation to maintain flexible telework for excluded employees. On February 5, 2026, Assembly Members Lee and Hoover introduced Assembly Bill 1729. Sponsored by ACSS, AB 1729 would support maintaining flexible telework and push back on the Administration’s plan to require a minimum of four in-person days per week effective July 1, 2026.
In March 2025, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-22-25. The EO ordered all state agencies and departments under the Governor’s authority that provide telework as an option to set a default minimum of four in-person days per week effective July 1, 2025. Just prior to that effective date, following discussions with ACSS and negotiations with rank-and-file organizations, CalHR paused the four day mandate until July 1, 2026.
As it stands now, all state agencies and departments subject to the EO will require four in-person days per week effective July 1, 2026. AB 1729 would revise the existing telework statutes and require a state agency to identify operational needs and provide detailed written justification when employees are required to report to a workplace.
ACSS sponsored bill, AB 1729 reiterates legislative support for telework and recognizes the cost-effective and efficient delivery of public services. The proposed legislation is consistent with the August 2025 report of the California State Auditor’s Office which found that if state employees telework three or more days per week, the State could reduce office space by approximately 30 percent and generate cost savings of as much as $225 million annually.
As we support AB 1729 while it makes its way through the Legislature, ACSS will continue to meet with CalHR and attempt to arrive at a sensible resolution that maintains appropriate flexible telework for excluded employees.
AB 1729 can be read here: Bill Text - AB-1729 State employment: telework programs.