SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember David Alvarez (D–San Diego), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on California–Mexico Bi-National Affairs, today announced a comprehensive legislative package designed to deepen cross-border cooperation, expand academic and professional exchanges, and strengthen California’s economic leadership in partnership with Mexico.
The legislative proposals include:
1. AB 1093 (Solache) Student Exchange Initiative
2. AB 1307 (Avila Farias) Dentists for Underserved California Communities
3. AB 2325 (Alvarez) Teacher Exchange Pathways
4. AB 2386 (Alvarez) Expanded Medical Access Act
5. AB 2572 (Fong) CSU Joint Degree Expansion
6. AB 2751 (Alvarez) Cross-Border Alcohol Import Reform
7. CAMINO: A Coordinated Binational Strategy
8. Joint Resolution reaffirming California’s position under USMCA
9. Sister-state Partnerships with Jalisco and Zacatecas
This package is a result of the CA-MX Committee’s 2025 work, including international delegation visits, higher education forums, and a joint USMCA hearing, to advance coordinated California–Mexico strategies.
“California wins when the relationship with Mexico is strong,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “Our economies are integrated, our communities are deeply connected, and our future prosperity depends on collaboration. This legislative package strengthens our workforce pipelines, expands educational mobility, and reinforces California’s leadership under USMCA. I thank my colleagues for their efforts to build new pathways for our mutual cooperation”
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More details on the package:
1. AB 1093 (Solache) – Student Exchange Initiative
AB 1093 advances cross-border collaboration and engagement between California and Mexican higher education institutions, supporting long-term institutional partnerships and binational coordination.
“Our California-Mexico bilateral relationship shares deep ties and directly impacts the livelihoods of tens of millions of people. Academic exchange programs are crucial to identifying emerging workforce needs, and fueling shared economic innovation,” said Assemblymember Solache. “AB 1093’s academic exchange program would formalize cross-border higher education partnerships while building a stronger, more connected future for the students and communities we share on both sides of the border.”
Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, the program would facilitate a structured, two-way exchange of students between California and Mexico for up to 400 students from the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges to study at universities in Mexico. This exchange would allow up to 400 students from Mexican universities to attend campuses in California.
2. AB 1307 (Avila Farias) Dentists for underserved CA communities
AB 1307 establishes a Licensed Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program designed to address California’s shortage of dental providers in underserved communities while strengthening professional collaboration between California and Mexico.
“Despite having one of the largest dentist workforces in the country, California continues to face major access gaps in dental care, disproportionately impacting rural, low-income, and Latino communities,” said Assemblywoman Anamarie Ávila Farías. “AB 1307 addresses this inequity by creating a path for credentialed dentists from Mexican institutions to practice in California’s undeserved areas. This bill is a cost-neutral, equity-driven solution that increases access to care without lowering standards.”
The program would require participating dentists to work at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that serve low-income and underserved communities. These clinics often face significant shortages of dental professionals and long wait times for patients seeking preventive and emergency dental care.
3. AB 2325 (Alvarez) – Teacher Exchange Pathways
AB 2325 strengthens pathways for educator exchange programs between California and Mexico, helping address teacher shortages, promote bilingual education, and enhance cultural competency in classrooms across the state.
“California’s students benefit when educators bring global experience into the classroom,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “AB 2325 strengthens pathways for teacher exchanges between California and Mexico, helping address teacher shortages while promoting bilingual education and cultural understanding that reflect the communities we serve.”
In the 2022-2023 school year, California was home to over 1.1 million English Learner (EL) students, making up approximately 19% of the total K-12 student population. According to the Learning Policy Institute, districts across the state report difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified bilingual teachers, particularly in high-demand subjects like math, science, and special education. New policies like AB 2325, which aim to expand opportunities for bilingual educators, including international teachers from Mexico, can support California’s diverse student population.
4. AB 2386 (Alvarez) Expanded Medical Access Act
AB 2386 creates two new pathways for medical graduates and physicians to address California’s physician shortage. It expands an existing program that allows doctors from Mexico to get a provisional license to practice in California and also establishes a program for physicians who have trained abroad to get obtain a provisional license.
"Too many California families can't find a doctor when they need one, especially in rural and underserved communities,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “The Expanded Medical Access Act creates a real pathway for qualified international physicians to fill that gap, with proper guardrails and oversight, so that the those who need care the most can actually get it."
This bill will make it easier for already-qualified doctors to practice in California, with guardrails like supervision requirements and a probationary period before they can apply for a full license.
5. AB 2572 (Fong) – CSU Joint Degree Expansion
AB 2572 modernizes California higher education by clarifying the California State University’s authority to offer joint undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees with accredited universities in the United States and internationally. This would create new opportunities for academic collaboration and student advancement where students can receive degrees and credentials to enter the binational workforce.
“California students benefit when our higher education institutions can expand educational opportunities,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee. “AB 2572 seeks to clarify joint degree partnerships between California State University institutions and accredited international institutions to strengthen pathways to high-quality educational programs.”
With 67% of California jobs projected to require postsecondary education by 2031 and existing shortages in advanced-degree fields, AB 2572 modernizes higher education governance to meet workforce demands and expand access for students in what has become a more globalized economy.
6. AB 2751 (Alvarez) – Cross-Border Alcohol Import Reform
AB 2751 makes a narrow, targeted update to California’s alcohol import laws by allowing adults to bring limited amounts of alcohol from Mexico into California for personal use through land Ports of Entry. This change aligns the rules for land crossings with the existing allowances at air and sea Ports of Entry.
"California's prosperity is inseparable from our relationship with Mexico, and nearly 200,000 people cross that border every single day to work, shop, and connect with family,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “AB 2751 aligns our land border crossing rules with what we already allow for someone who arrives on a cruise or on a flight."
Under existing law, most alcoholic beverages entering California must be imported through licensed importers and consigned to licensed premises. The bill amends state law to clarify exceptions for incidental amounts of alcohol brought into the state for personal use.
7. CAMINO Initiative: A Coordinated Binational Strategy
The CAMINO (California–Mexico Initiative for New Opportunities) is designed to facilitate enhanced research collaboration, strategic coordination, student and faculty exchanges, and institutional partnerships between California and Mexico in key sectors including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, education, and healthcare.
“I thank Assemblymember David Alvarez for promoting the California-Mexico relationship that is vital to our state’s economy and our communities,” said Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, Vice Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus. “When the Trump Administration withdrew the US from the World Health Organization, compromising our public health, it reminded us that California needs its own strategic partnerships to collaborate on solutions to meet the evolving needs of our communities. The California-Mexico Initiative for New Opportunities (CAMINO) with our state’s largest trading partner Mexico, will strengthen policy collaboration, academic research, cultural exchange programs, and economic integration that benefits everyone.”
Establishing this initiative within the California State University system is a key budget priority.
8. Joint Resolution reaffirming California’s position under USMCA
The intent to introduce a joint legislative resolution affirming California’s priorities under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). The resolution follows the Committee’s joint hearing with Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact examining the impacts of USMCA on California’s economy and will strengthen California’s voice in upcoming federal trade discussions.
“California is the fifth-largest economy in the world. This is only possible because of our trade relationship with Mexico,” Alvarez said. “The good that are made in California and bought by Mexico as our #1 export destination supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. We must ensure California’s priorities are reflected in any federal trade negotiations.”
9. Sister-State Partnerships with Jalisco and Zacatecas
Lastly, the legislative package also proposes initiating formal sister-state agreements between California and the Mexican states of Jalisco and Zacatecas, building on recent official delegations and discussions with regional leadership.
“California’s relationship with Mexico is built on generations of shared history, culture, and community,” said Assemblymember Solache. “Our sister-state partnership with Jalisco and Zacatecas help strengthen those bonds by creating new opportunities for cultural connection, economic collaboration, and mutual understanding. I’m proud to support efforts that continue deepening these relationships and celebrating the vibrant communities that link California and Mexico.”
During a 2025 delegation to Guadalajara, discussions with Governor Lemus and legislative leaders included exploring a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco. Similar engagement with Governor Monreal Ávila and leaders in Zacatecas focused on expanding student and professional exchange programs.These agreements would formalize cooperation in higher education, workforce development, tourism, innovation, and regional economic growth.
Unified Binational Vision
The California–Mexico Legislative Package reflects a coordinated strategy to:
- Expand joint degree and research opportunities
- Strengthen educator and workforce exchange programs
- Promote binational economic competitiveness
- Reinforce California’s leadership in North American trade
“California’s success is inseparable from Mexico’s success,” Alvarez said. “Through this legislative package, we are institutionalizing cooperation, investing in workforce mobility, and building a long-term framework for shared prosperity.”
The policy measures are pending referral to a policy committee for hearing at a future date. The CA-MX Committee will introduce a resolution related to USMCA later this year as well as a funding request for the CAMINO program.
