Assemblymember Valencia (D-Anaheim) introduces HR 79 Recognizing February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month in California

• Eric Lopez
• Communications Director
• (916) 319-2068
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymember Valencia, together with State Controller Malia M. Cohen, today announced the adoption of Assembly House Resolution (HR) 79declaring February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month, aimed at raising awareness and educating Californians about unclaimed property and how they can be reunited with their money or property.

California's Unclaimed Property program is administered by the State Controller's Office (SCO), which currently safeguards unclaimed property valued at more than $15 billion. Since 1959, this consumer protection program has ensured that businesses and other entities return property belonging to customers with whom they have lost contact. Common types of unclaimed property include forgotten bank accounts, stocks, bonds, uncashed checks, insurance benefits, and safe deposit box contents.

"My office is safeguarding more than $15 billion in unclaimed property, representing over 84 million individual properties waiting to be returned to nearly 39 million Californians. In these uncertain times, taking a few minutes to visit www.claimit.ca.govcould mean reconnecting you or your loved ones with money that's rightfully yours," stated Controller Cohen. "I want to thank Assemblymember Valencia for authoring HR 79 to help raise awareness about California's financial lost and found."

"Every year, California returns hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed property back to their rightful owners," said Assemblymember Valencia. "As Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, I am excited to join State Controller Malia Cohen to recognize this February as Unclaimed Property Month. A quick search could put money back in your wallet."

"This resolution is about putting dollars back into people's pockets. Too often, families are unaware their money is sitting unclaimed. That's why I'm happy to join Assemblymember Avelino Valencia in raising awareness for this important program," said Speaker Robert Rivas.

Controller Cohen and Assemblymember Valencia urge all Californians to visit SCO's claimit.ca.gov website to learn more about and search for their unclaimed property.

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As the chief fiscal officer of the fifth-largest economy in the world, California State Controller Malia M. Cohen independently oversees and manages the state's financial resources with integrity and transparency to build trust. Follow the California State Controller's Office on X, Facebook, and YouTube at @CAController and on Instagram at @CaliforniaController.

Assemblymember Valencia proudly represents the 68th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Orange and Santa Ana. Valencia chairs the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee.