AB 1511: Political Reform Act of 1974: refunding and transferring contributions: voter information guide.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2025-10-03
Current Status:
Passed
(2025-10-03: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 249, Statutes of 2025.)
Introduced
In Committee
Awaiting First Chamber Vote
Passed First Chamber
In Committee
Awaiting Second Chamber Vote
Passed Second Chamber
Enacted
(1)Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, a substantial facsimile of the official ballot.
This bill would conform provisions in the Political Reform Act of 1974 that currently refer to the ballot pamphlet or sample ballot to instead refer to the state voter information guide or county voter information guide, respectively.
(2)The Political Reform Act of 1974 authorizes a candidate for elective state, county, or city office to raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same office under specified conditions. If the candidate is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the act requires the candidate to refund the general election or special general election funds, as specified.
Existing law, for purposes of these provisions, specifies that a candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions, and that such a candidate may transfer these funds to a committee for the same or a different office as specified.
This bill would instead provide that a candidate is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions and may transfer these funds, as specified above, if the candidates name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and the candidate has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf, as specified.
(3)This bill would also correct a cross-reference to federal law.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
(1)Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, a substantial facsimile of the official ballot.
This bill would conform provisions in the Political Reform Act of 1974 that currently refer to the ballot pamphlet or sample ballot to instead refer to the state voter information guide or county voter information guide, respectively.
(2)The Political Reform Act of 1974 authorizes a candidate for elective state, county, or city office to raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same office under specified conditions. If the candidate is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the act requires the candidate to refund the general election or special general election funds, as specified.
Existing law, for purposes of these provisions, specifies that a candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions, and that such a candidate may transfer these funds to a committee for the same or a different office as specified.
This bill would instead provide that a candidate is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions and may transfer these funds, as specified above, if the candidates name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and the candidate has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf, as specified.
(3)This bill would also correct a cross-reference to federal law.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
(1)Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, a substantial facsimile of the official ballot.
This bill would conform provisions in the Political Reform Act of 1974 that currently refer to the ballot pamphlet or sample ballot to instead refer to the state voter information guide or county voter information guide, respectively.
(2)The Political Reform Act of 1974 authorizes a candidate for elective state, county, or city office to raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same office under specified conditions. If the candidate is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the act requires the candidate to refund the general election or special general election funds, as specified.
Existing law, for purposes of these provisions, specifies that a candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions, and that such a candidate may transfer these funds to a committee for the same or a different office as specified.
This bill would instead provide that a candidate is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions and may transfer these funds, as specified above, if the candidates name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and the candidate has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf, as specified.
(3)This bill would also correct certain cross-references a cross-reference to federal law.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
(1)Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, a substantial facsimile of the official ballot.
This bill would conform provisions in the Political Reform Act of 1974 that currently refer to the ballot pamphlet or sample ballot to instead refer to the state voter information guide or county voter information guide, respectively.
(2)The Political Reform Act of 1974 authorizes a candidate for elective state, county, or city office to raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same office under specified conditions. If the candidate is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the act requires the candidate to refund the general election or special general election funds, as specified.
Existing law, for purposes of these provisions, specifies that a candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions, and that such a candidate may transfer these funds to a committee for the same or a different office as specified.
This bill would instead provide that a candidate is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions and may transfer these funds, as specified above, if the candidates name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and the candidate has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf, as specified.
(3)This bill would also correct certain cross-references to federal law.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
(1)Existing law requires the Secretary of State to prepare a state voter information guide that includes, among other things, a complete copy of each state measure, the Voter Bill of Rights, and information on candidates for the office of United States Senator and the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, as specified. Existing law requires county elections officials to prepare a county voter information guide that contains, among other things, a substantial facsimile of the official ballot.
This bill would conform provisions in the Political Reform Act of 1974 that currently refer to the ballot pamphlet or sample ballot to instead refer to the state voter information guide or county voter information guide, respectively.
(2)The Political Reform Act of 1974 authorizes a candidate for elective state, county, or city office to raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same office under specified conditions. If the candidate is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the act requires the candidate to refund the general election or special general election funds, as specified.
Existing law, for purposes of these provisions, specifies that a candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions, and that such a candidate may transfer these funds to a committee for the same or a different office as specified.
This bill would instead provide that a candidate is not required to refund the general election or special general election contributions and may transfer these funds, as specified above, if the candidates name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and the candidate has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf, as specified.
The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure, provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the acts purposes upon a 2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature and compliance with specified procedural requirements.
This bill would declare that it furthers the purposes of the act.
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting Section 6 of this bill to ensure that Senate Bill No. 948 (Chapter 125 of the Statutes of 2024) is interpreted consistent with the Fair Political Practices Commissions advice in its Brown Advice Letter No. A-09-276 issued on January 25, 2010.
SEC. 2.Section 81001 of the Government Code is amended to read:81001.The people find and declare as follows:
(a)State and local government should serve the needs and respond to the wishes of all citizens equally, without regard to their wealth;
(b)Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them;
(c)Costs of conducting election campaigns have increased greatly in recent years, and candidates have been forced to finance their campaigns by seeking large contributions from lobbyists and organizations who thereby gain disproportionate influence over governmental decisions;
(d)The influence of large campaign contributors is increased because existing laws for disclosure of campaign receipts and expenditures have proved to be inadequate;
(e)Lobbyists often make their contributions to incumbents who cannot be effectively challenged because of election laws and abusive practices which give the incumbent an unfair advantage;
(f)The wealthy individuals and organizations which make large campaign contributions frequently extend their influence by employing lobbyists and spending large amounts to influence legislative and administrative actions;
(g)The influence of large campaign contributors in ballot measure elections is increased because the state voter information guide mailed to the voters by the state is difficult to read and almost impossible for a layperson to understand; and
(h)Previous laws regulating political practices have suffered from inadequate enforcement by state and local authorities.
SEC. 3.Section 81002 of the Government Code is amended to read:81002.The people enact this title to accomplish the following purposes:
(a)Receipts and expenditures in election campaigns should be fully and truthfully disclosed in order that the voters may be fully informed and improper practices may be inhibited.
(b)The activities of lobbyists should be regulated and their finances disclosed in order that improper influences will not be directed at public officials.
(c)Assets and income of public officials which may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided.
(d)The state voter information guide should be converted into a useful document so that voters will not be entirely dependent on paid advertising for information regarding state measures.
(e)Laws and practices unfairly favoring incumbents should be abolished in order that elections may be conducted more fairly.
(f)Adequate enforcement mechanisms should be provided to public officials and private citizens in order that this title will be vigorously enforced.
SEC. 4.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.
(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, but after the closing date of the last campaign statement required to be filed before the election pursuant to Section 84200.8 or 84200.9, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this subdivision shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215.
(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this section shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and shall be filed at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.
(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.
(e)(1)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.
(2)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.
SEC. 5.Section 84217 of the Government Code is amended to read:84217.When the Secretary of State receives any campaign statement filed pursuant to the federal Election Campaign Act, (52 U.S.C.A. Section 30101 et seq.) the Secretary of State shall send a copy of the statement to the following officers:
(a)Statements of candidates for President, Vice President, or United States Senator and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County and one copy with the Registrar of Voters of the City and County of San Francisco;
(b)Statements of candidates for United States Representative in Congress and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the clerk of the county which contains the largest percentage of the registered voters in the election district which the candidate or any of the candidates seek nomination or election and one copy with the clerk of the county within which the candidate resides or in which the committee is domiciled, provided that if the committee is not domiciled in California the statement shall be sent to the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County. No more than one copy of each statement need be filed with the clerk of any county.
SEC. 6.Section 85318 of the Government Code is amended to read:85318.(a)(1)A candidate for elective state, county, or city office may raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same elective state, county, or city office if the candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions for the general election or special general election. If the candidate for elective state, county, or city office is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the general election or special general election funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with the raising and administration of general election or special general election contributions.
(2)A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election is not defeated in the primary election or special primary election and does not otherwise withdraw from the general election or special general election for the purposes of paragraph (1), and shall not be required to refund contributions pursuant to that paragraph. A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election, may transfer funds to a committee established for the same or a different office subject to the attribution rules provided by subdivision (a) of Section 85306.
(3)Notwithstanding Section 85201, candidates for elective state, county, or city office may establish separate campaign contribution accounts for the primary and general elections or special primary and special general elections.
(b)This section does not apply in a jurisdiction in which the county or city imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.
SEC. 7.Section 85600 of the Government Code is amended to read:85600.The Secretary of State shall designate in the state voter information guide those candidates for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400. Local elections officers shall designate in the county voter information guide those candidates for State Senate and Assembly who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
SEC. 8.Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601.(a)A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, the Secretary of State may not include in the state voter information guide a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
(c)A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the county voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the county voter information guide.
SEC. 9.Section 88000 of the Government Code is amended to read:88000.There shall be a state voter information guide which shall be prepared by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 10.Section 88001 of the Government Code is amended to read:88001.The state voter information guide shall contain all of the following:
(a)A complete copy of each state measure.
(b)A copy of the specific constitutional or statutory provision, if any, that would be repealed or revised by each state measure.
(c)A copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure.
(d)A copy of the analysis of each state measure.
(e)Tables of contents, indexes, art work, graphics, and other materials that the Secretary of State determines will make the state voter information guide easier to understand or more useful for the average voter.
(f)A notice, conspicuously printed on the cover of the state voter information guide indicating that additional copies of the guide will be mailed by the county elections official upon request.
(g)A written explanation of the judicial retention procedure as required by Section 9083 of the Elections Code.
(h)The Voter Bill of Rights pursuant to Section 2300 of the Elections Code.
(i)If the ballot contains an election for the office of United States Senator, information on candidates for United States Senator. A candidate for United States Senator may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(j)If the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on justices of the Supreme Court who are subject to confirmation or retention.
(k)If the ballot contains an election for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, a notice that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for information about candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.
(l)A written explanation of the appropriate election procedures for party-nominated, voter-nominated, and nonpartisan offices as required by Section 9083.5 of the Elections Code.
(m)A written explanation of the top 10 contributor lists required by Section 84223, including a description of the internet websites where those lists are available to the public.
SEC. 11.Section 88002 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.The state voter information guide shall contain as to each state measure to be voted upon, the following in the order set forth in this section:
(a)(1)Upon the top portion of the first page and not exceeding one-third of the page shall appear:
(A)The identification of the measure by number and title.
(B)The official summary prepared by the Attorney General.
(i)For a statewide referendum measure, the official summary prepared by the Attorney General shall precede all of the following in the order set forth in this clause:
(I)A blank horizontal line.
(II)After the text TOP FUNDERS OF PETITION TO OVERTURN THE LAW: a listing of the three persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures of $50,000 or more to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official. A person who is required to be listed after the official summary pursuant to this clause is a top funder.
(III)If a person that is a primarily formed ballot measure committee within the meaning of Section 82047.5 of the Government Code or a general purpose committee within the meaning of Section 82027.5 of the Government Code is one of the persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official, the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee shall not be listed as a top funder pursuant to subclause (II), and, instead, the highest contributors to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee within the prior 90 days shall be listed as top funders pursuant to subclause (II) if their contributions to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee, combined with all other contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum, qualify the person or persons as top funders.
(ii)The name of a top funder may be shortened at the discretion of the Secretary of State by using acronyms, abbreviations, or by leaving out words in the entitys name, as long as doing so would not confuse or mislead voters about the identity of a top funder.
(iii)Each top funder shall be printed in a font size that is the same as a majority of the text on the page and separated by a semicolon.
(iv)The Secretary of State shall determine the list of top funders no later than the date a referendum qualifies for the ballot.
(C)The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the State Senate and Assembly if the measure was passed by the Legislature.
(2)The space in the title and summary that is used for an explanatory table prepared pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 9087 of the Elections Code and Section 88003 shall not be included when measuring the amount of space the information described in paragraph (1) has taken for purposes of determining compliance with the restriction prohibiting the information described in paragraph (1) from exceeding one-third of the page.
(b)Beginning at the top of the right page shall appear the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst, provided that the analysis fits on a single page. If it does not fit on a single page, then the analysis shall begin on the lower portion of the first left page and shall continue on subsequent pages until it is completed.
(c)Immediately below the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst shall appear a printed statement that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for a list of committees primarily formed to support or oppose a ballot measure, and information on how to access the committees top 10 contributors.
(d)Arguments for and against the measure shall be placed on the next left and right pages, respectively, following the page on which the analysis of the Legislative Analyst ends. The rebuttals shall be placed immediately below the arguments.
(e)If no argument against the measure has been submitted, the argument for the measure shall appear on the right page facing the analysis.
(f)The complete text of each measure shall appear at the back of the state voter information guide. The text of the measure shall contain the provisions of the proposed measure and the existing provisions of law repealed or revised by the measure. The provisions of the proposed measure differing from the existing provisions of law affected shall be distinguished in print, so as to facilitate comparison.
(g)The following statement shall be printed at the bottom of each page where arguments appear: Arguments printed on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.
SEC. 12.Section 88002.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.5.(a)The state voter information guide shall also contain a section, located near the front of the guide, that provides a concise summary of the general meaning and effect of yes and no votes on each state measure.
(b)The summary statements required by this section shall be prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 88006.
SEC. 13.Section 88003 of the Government Code is amended to read:88003.The Legislative Analyst shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure describing the measure and including a fiscal analysis of the measure showing the amount of any increase or decrease in revenue or cost to state or local government. Any estimate of increased cost to local governments shall be set out in boldface print in the state voter information guide. The analysis shall be written in clear and concise terms which will easily be understood by the average voter, and shall avoid the use of technical terms wherever possible. The analysis may contain background information, including the effect of the measure on existing law and the effect of enacted legislation which will become effective if the measure is adopted, and shall generally set forth in an impartial manner the information which the average voter needs to understand the measure adequately. The Legislative Analyst may contract with professional writers, educational specialists, or other persons for assistance in writing an analysis that fulfills the requirements of this section, including the requirement that the analysis be written so that it will be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst may also request the assistance of any state department, agency, or official in preparing the Legislative Analysts analysis. Prior to submission of the analysis to the Secretary of State, the Legislative Analyst shall submit the analysis to a committee of five persons appointed by the Legislative Analyst for the purpose of reviewing the analysis to confirm its clarity and easy comprehension to the average voter. The committee shall be drawn from the public at large, and one member shall be a specialist in education, one shall be bilingual, and one shall be a professional writer. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. Within five days of the submission of the analysis to the committee, the committee shall make such recommendations to the Legislative Analyst as it deems appropriate to guarantee that the analysis can be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst shall consider the committees recommendations, and the Legislative Analyst shall incorporate in the analysis those changes recommended by the committee that the Legislative Analyst deems to be appropriate. The Legislative Analyst is solely responsible for determining the content of the analysis required by this section. The title and summary of any measure which appears on the ballot shall be amended to contain a summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government financial impact. For state bond measures that are submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, the summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact shall include an explanatory table of the information in the summary.
SEC. 14.Section 88004 of the Government Code is amended to read:88004.Measures shall be printed in the state voter information guide, so far as possible, in the same order, manner, and form in which they are designated upon the ballot.
SEC. 15.Section 88005 of the Government Code is amended to read:88005.The state voter information guide shall be printed according to the following specifications:
(a)The guide shall be printed in clear readable type, no less than 10-point, except that the text of any measure may be set forth in 8-point type.
(b)It shall be of a size and printed on a quality and weight of paper which in the judgment of the Secretary of State best serves the voters.
(c)The guide shall contain a certificate of correctness by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 16.Section 88006 of the Government Code is amended to read:88006.Not less than 20 days before submitting the copy for the state voter information guide to the State Printer, the Secretary of State shall make the copy available for public examination. Any elector may seek a writ of mandate requiring the copy to be amended or deleted from the state voter information guide. A peremptory writ of mandate shall issue only upon clear and convincing proof that the copy in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter or the Elections Code, and that issuance of the writ will not substantially interfere with the printing and distribution of the state voter information guide as required by law. Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County. The Secretary of State shall be named as the respondent and the State Printer and the person or official who authored the copy in question shall be named as real parties in interest. If the proceeding is initiated by the Secretary of State, the State Printer shall be named as the respondent.
SEC. 17.Section 88007 of the Government Code is amended to read:88007.Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 81012, the Legislature may without restriction amend this chapter to add to the state voter information guide information regarding candidates or any other information.
SEC. 18.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting Section 6 of this bill to ensure that Senate Bill No. 948 (Chapter 125 of the Statutes of 2024) is interpreted consistent with the Fair Political Practices Commissions advice in its Brown Advice Letter No. A-09-276 issued on January 25, 2010.
SEC. 2.Section 81001 of the Government Code is amended to read:81001.The people find and declare as follows:
(a)State and local government should serve the needs and respond to the wishes of all citizens equally, without regard to their wealth;
(b)Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them;
(c)Costs of conducting election campaigns have increased greatly in recent years, and candidates have been forced to finance their campaigns by seeking large contributions from lobbyists and organizations who thereby gain disproportionate influence over governmental decisions;
(d)The influence of large campaign contributors is increased because existing laws for disclosure of campaign receipts and expenditures have proved to be inadequate;
(e)Lobbyists often make their contributions to incumbents who cannot be effectively challenged because of election laws and abusive practices which give the incumbent an unfair advantage;
(f)The wealthy individuals and organizations which make large campaign contributions frequently extend their influence by employing lobbyists and spending large amounts to influence legislative and administrative actions;
(g)The influence of large campaign contributors in ballot measure elections is increased because the state voter information guide mailed to the voters by the state is difficult to read and almost impossible for a layperson to understand; and
(h)Previous laws regulating political practices have suffered from inadequate enforcement by state and local authorities.
SEC. 3.Section 81002 of the Government Code is amended to read:81002.The people enact this title to accomplish the following purposes:
(a)Receipts and expenditures in election campaigns should be fully and truthfully disclosed in order that the voters may be fully informed and improper practices may be inhibited.
(b)The activities of lobbyists should be regulated and their finances disclosed in order that improper influences will not be directed at public officials.
(c)Assets and income of public officials which may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided.
(d)The state voter information guide should be converted into a useful document so that voters will not be entirely dependent on paid advertising for information regarding state measures.
(e)Laws and practices unfairly favoring incumbents should be abolished in order that elections may be conducted more fairly.
(f)Adequate enforcement mechanisms should be provided to public officials and private citizens in order that this title will be vigorously enforced.
SEC. 4.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.
(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, but after the closing date of the last campaign statement required to be filed before the election pursuant to Section 84200.8 or 84200.9, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this subdivision shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215.
(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this section shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and shall be filed at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.
(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.
(e)(1)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.
(2)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.
SEC. 5.Section 84217 of the Government Code is amended to read:84217.When the Secretary of State receives any campaign statement filed pursuant to the federal Election Campaign Act, (52 U.S.C.A. Section 30101 et seq.) the Secretary of State shall send a copy of the statement to the following officers:
(a)Statements of candidates for President, Vice President, or United States Senator and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County and one copy with the Registrar of Voters of the City and County of San Francisco;
(b)Statements of candidates for United States Representative in Congress and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the clerk of the county which contains the largest percentage of the registered voters in the election district which the candidate or any of the candidates seek nomination or election and one copy with the clerk of the county within which the candidate resides or in which the committee is domiciled, provided that if the committee is not domiciled in California the statement shall be sent to the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County. No more than one copy of each statement need be filed with the clerk of any county.
SEC. 6.Section 85318 of the Government Code is amended to read:85318.(a)(1)A candidate for elective state, county, or city office may raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same elective state, county, or city office if the candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions for the general election or special general election. If the candidate for elective state, county, or city office is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the general election or special general election funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with the raising and administration of general election or special general election contributions.
(2)A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election is not defeated in the primary election or special primary election and does not otherwise withdraw from the general election or special general election for the purposes of paragraph (1), and shall not be required to refund contributions pursuant to that paragraph. A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election, may transfer funds to a committee established for the same or a different office subject to the attribution rules provided by subdivision (a) of Section 85306.
(3)Notwithstanding Section 85201, candidates for elective state, county, or city office may establish separate campaign contribution accounts for the primary and general elections or special primary and special general elections.
(b)This section does not apply in a jurisdiction in which the county or city imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.
SEC. 7.Section 85600 of the Government Code is amended to read:85600.The Secretary of State shall designate in the state voter information guide those candidates for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400. Local elections officers shall designate in the county voter information guide those candidates for State Senate and Assembly who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
SEC. 8.Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601.(a)A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, the Secretary of State may not include in the state voter information guide a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
(c)A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the county voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the county voter information guide.
SEC. 9.Section 88000 of the Government Code is amended to read:88000.There shall be a state voter information guide which shall be prepared by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 10.Section 88001 of the Government Code is amended to read:88001.The state voter information guide shall contain all of the following:
(a)A complete copy of each state measure.
(b)A copy of the specific constitutional or statutory provision, if any, that would be repealed or revised by each state measure.
(c)A copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure.
(d)A copy of the analysis of each state measure.
(e)Tables of contents, indexes, art work, graphics, and other materials that the Secretary of State determines will make the state voter information guide easier to understand or more useful for the average voter.
(f)A notice, conspicuously printed on the cover of the state voter information guide indicating that additional copies of the guide will be mailed by the county elections official upon request.
(g)A written explanation of the judicial retention procedure as required by Section 9083 of the Elections Code.
(h)The Voter Bill of Rights pursuant to Section 2300 of the Elections Code.
(i)If the ballot contains an election for the office of United States Senator, information on candidates for United States Senator. A candidate for United States Senator may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(j)If the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on justices of the Supreme Court who are subject to confirmation or retention.
(k)If the ballot contains an election for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, a notice that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for information about candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.
(l)A written explanation of the appropriate election procedures for party-nominated, voter-nominated, and nonpartisan offices as required by Section 9083.5 of the Elections Code.
(m)A written explanation of the top 10 contributor lists required by Section 84223, including a description of the internet websites where those lists are available to the public.
SEC. 11.Section 88002 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.The state voter information guide shall contain as to each state measure to be voted upon, the following in the order set forth in this section:
(a)(1)Upon the top portion of the first page and not exceeding one-third of the page shall appear:
(A)The identification of the measure by number and title.
(B)The official summary prepared by the Attorney General.
(i)For a statewide referendum measure, the official summary prepared by the Attorney General shall precede all of the following in the order set forth in this clause:
(I)A blank horizontal line.
(II)After the text TOP FUNDERS OF PETITION TO OVERTURN THE LAW: a listing of the three persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures of $50,000 or more to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official. A person who is required to be listed after the official summary pursuant to this clause is a top funder.
(III)If a person that is a primarily formed ballot measure committee within the meaning of Section 82047.5 of the Government Code or a general purpose committee within the meaning of Section 82027.5 of the Government Code is one of the persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official, the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee shall not be listed as a top funder pursuant to subclause (II), and, instead, the highest contributors to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee within the prior 90 days shall be listed as top funders pursuant to subclause (II) if their contributions to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee, combined with all other contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum, qualify the person or persons as top funders.
(ii)The name of a top funder may be shortened at the discretion of the Secretary of State by using acronyms, abbreviations, or by leaving out words in the entitys name, as long as doing so would not confuse or mislead voters about the identity of a top funder.
(iii)Each top funder shall be printed in a font size that is the same as a majority of the text on the page and separated by a semicolon.
(iv)The Secretary of State shall determine the list of top funders no later than the date a referendum qualifies for the ballot.
(C)The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the State Senate and Assembly if the measure was passed by the Legislature.
(2)The space in the title and summary that is used for an explanatory table prepared pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 9087 of the Elections Code and Section 88003 shall not be included when measuring the amount of space the information described in paragraph (1) has taken for purposes of determining compliance with the restriction prohibiting the information described in paragraph (1) from exceeding one-third of the page.
(b)Beginning at the top of the right page shall appear the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst, provided that the analysis fits on a single page. If it does not fit on a single page, then the analysis shall begin on the lower portion of the first left page and shall continue on subsequent pages until it is completed.
(c)Immediately below the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst shall appear a printed statement that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for a list of committees primarily formed to support or oppose a ballot measure, and information on how to access the committees top 10 contributors.
(d)Arguments for and against the measure shall be placed on the next left and right pages, respectively, following the page on which the analysis of the Legislative Analyst ends. The rebuttals shall be placed immediately below the arguments.
(e)If no argument against the measure has been submitted, the argument for the measure shall appear on the right page facing the analysis.
(f)The complete text of each measure shall appear at the back of the state voter information guide. The text of the measure shall contain the provisions of the proposed measure and the existing provisions of law repealed or revised by the measure. The provisions of the proposed measure differing from the existing provisions of law affected shall be distinguished in print, so as to facilitate comparison.
(g)The following statement shall be printed at the bottom of each page where arguments appear: Arguments printed on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.
SEC. 12.Section 88002.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.5.(a)The state voter information guide shall also contain a section, located near the front of the guide, that provides a concise summary of the general meaning and effect of yes and no votes on each state measure.
(b)The summary statements required by this section shall be prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 88006.
SEC. 13.Section 88003 of the Government Code is amended to read:88003.The Legislative Analyst shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure describing the measure and including a fiscal analysis of the measure showing the amount of any increase or decrease in revenue or cost to state or local government. Any estimate of increased cost to local governments shall be set out in boldface print in the state voter information guide. The analysis shall be written in clear and concise terms which will easily be understood by the average voter, and shall avoid the use of technical terms wherever possible. The analysis may contain background information, including the effect of the measure on existing law and the effect of enacted legislation which will become effective if the measure is adopted, and shall generally set forth in an impartial manner the information which the average voter needs to understand the measure adequately. The Legislative Analyst may contract with professional writers, educational specialists, or other persons for assistance in writing an analysis that fulfills the requirements of this section, including the requirement that the analysis be written so that it will be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst may also request the assistance of any state department, agency, or official in preparing the Legislative Analysts analysis. Prior to submission of the analysis to the Secretary of State, the Legislative Analyst shall submit the analysis to a committee of five persons appointed by the Legislative Analyst for the purpose of reviewing the analysis to confirm its clarity and easy comprehension to the average voter. The committee shall be drawn from the public at large, and one member shall be a specialist in education, one shall be bilingual, and one shall be a professional writer. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. Within five days of the submission of the analysis to the committee, the committee shall make such recommendations to the Legislative Analyst as it deems appropriate to guarantee that the analysis can be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst shall consider the committees recommendations, and the Legislative Analyst shall incorporate in the analysis those changes recommended by the committee that the Legislative Analyst deems to be appropriate. The Legislative Analyst is solely responsible for determining the content of the analysis required by this section. The title and summary of any measure which appears on the ballot shall be amended to contain a summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government financial impact. For state bond measures that are submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, the summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact shall include an explanatory table of the information in the summary.
SEC. 14.Section 88004 of the Government Code is amended to read:88004.Measures shall be printed in the state voter information guide, so far as possible, in the same order, manner, and form in which they are designated upon the ballot.
SEC. 15.Section 88005 of the Government Code is amended to read:88005.The state voter information guide shall be printed according to the following specifications:
(a)The guide shall be printed in clear readable type, no less than 10-point, except that the text of any measure may be set forth in 8-point type.
(b)It shall be of a size and printed on a quality and weight of paper which in the judgment of the Secretary of State best serves the voters.
(c)The guide shall contain a certificate of correctness by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 16.Section 88006 of the Government Code is amended to read:88006.Not less than 20 days before submitting the copy for the state voter information guide to the State Printer, the Secretary of State shall make the copy available for public examination. Any elector may seek a writ of mandate requiring the copy to be amended or deleted from the state voter information guide. A peremptory writ of mandate shall issue only upon clear and convincing proof that the copy in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter or the Elections Code, and that issuance of the writ will not substantially interfere with the printing and distribution of the state voter information guide as required by law. Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County. The Secretary of State shall be named as the respondent and the State Printer and the person or official who authored the copy in question shall be named as real parties in interest. If the proceeding is initiated by the Secretary of State, the State Printer shall be named as the respondent.
SEC. 17.Section 88007 of the Government Code is amended to read:88007.Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 81012, the Legislature may without restriction amend this chapter to add to the state voter information guide information regarding candidates or any other information.
SEC. 18.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting Section 8 6 of this bill to ensure that Senate Bill No. 948 (Chapter 125 of the Statutes of 2024) is interpreted consistent with the Fair Political Practices Commissions advice in its Brown Advice Letter No. A-09-276 issued on January 25, 2010.
SEC. 2.Section 81001 of the Government Code is amended to read:81001.The people find and declare as follows:
(a)State and local government should serve the needs and respond to the wishes of all citizens equally, without regard to their wealth;
(b)Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them;
(c)Costs of conducting election campaigns have increased greatly in recent years, and candidates have been forced to finance their campaigns by seeking large contributions from lobbyists and organizations who thereby gain disproportionate influence over governmental decisions;
(d)The influence of large campaign contributors is increased because existing laws for disclosure of campaign receipts and expenditures have proved to be inadequate;
(e)Lobbyists often make their contributions to incumbents who cannot be effectively challenged because of election laws and abusive practices which give the incumbent an unfair advantage;
(f)The wealthy individuals and organizations which make large campaign contributions frequently extend their influence by employing lobbyists and spending large amounts to influence legislative and administrative actions;
(g)The influence of large campaign contributors in ballot measure elections is increased because the state voter information guide mailed to the voters by the state is difficult to read and almost impossible for a layperson to understand; and
(h)Previous laws regulating political practices have suffered from inadequate enforcement by state and local authorities.
SEC. 3.Section 81002 of the Government Code is amended to read:81002.The people enact this title to accomplish the following purposes:
(a)Receipts and expenditures in election campaigns should be fully and truthfully disclosed in order that the voters may be fully informed and improper practices may be inhibited.
(b)The activities of lobbyists should be regulated and their finances disclosed in order that improper influences will not be directed at public officials.
(c)Assets and income of public officials which may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided.
(d)The state voter information guide should be converted into a useful document so that voters will not be entirely dependent on paid advertising for information regarding state measures.
(e)Laws and practices unfairly favoring incumbents should be abolished in order that elections may be conducted more fairly.
(f)Adequate enforcement mechanisms should be provided to public officials and private citizens in order that this title will be vigorously enforced.
SEC. 4.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.
(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, but after the closing date of the last campaign statement required to be filed before the election pursuant to Section 84200.8 or 84200.9, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this subdivision shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215.
(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this section shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and shall be filed at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.
(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.
(e)(1)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.
(2)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.
SEC. 5.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall email or send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall email or send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 within 16 days before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, the committee shall file, within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, an original statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State, and a copy with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215 by email, fax, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery.(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the original of its statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State. The committee shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures, by email, facsimile transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.(e)(1)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized person means a person, other than the treasurer, who is authorized to obtain the bank records of the committee from the financial institution where the campaign bank account is maintained.(2)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number and the name of an authorized person included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number or the name of an authorized person on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.(3)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number and the name of an authorized person on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.SEC. 6.SEC. 5.Section 84217 of the Government Code is amended to read:84217.When the Secretary of State receives any campaign statement filed pursuant to the federal Election Campaign Act, (52 U.S.C.A. Section 30101 et seq.) the Secretary of State shall send a copy of the statement to the following officers:
(a)Statements of candidates for President, Vice President President, or United States Senator and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County and one copy with the Registrar of Voters of the City and County of San Francisco;
(b)Statements of candidates for United States Representative in Congress and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the clerk of the county which contains the largest percentage of the registered voters in the election district which the candidate or any of the candidates seek nomination or election and one copy with the clerk of the county within which the candidate resides or in which the committee is domiciled, provided that if the committee is not domiciled in California the statement shall be sent to the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County. No more than one copy of each statement need be filed with the clerk of any county.
SEC. 7.Section 84222 of the Government Code is amended to read:84222.(a)For purposes of this title, multipurpose organization means an organization described in Sections 501(c)(3) to 501(c)(10), inclusive, of the Internal Revenue Code and that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a federal or out-of-state political organization, a trade association, a professional association, a civic organization, a religious organization, a fraternal society, an educational institution, or any other association or group of persons acting in concert, that is operating for purposes other than making contributions or expenditures. Multipurpose organization does not include a business entity, an individual, or a federal candidates authorized committee, as defined in Section 30101 of Title 52 of the United States Code, that is registered and filing reports pursuant to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-225).(b)A multipurpose organization that makes expenditures or contributions and does not qualify as a committee pursuant to subdivision (c) may qualify as an independent expenditure committee or major donor committee if the multipurpose organization satisfies subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 82013.(c)Except as provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5), a multipurpose organization is a recipient committee within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 only under one or more of the following circumstances:(1)The multipurpose organization is a political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission, except as provided in subdivision (a) of this section, or a political committee registered with another state, and the multipurpose organization makes contributions or expenditures in this state in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013.(2)The multipurpose organization solicits and receives payments from donors in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013 for the purpose of making contributions or expenditures.(3)The multipurpose organization accepts payments from donors in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013 subject to a condition, agreement, or understanding with the donor that all or a portion of the payments may be used for making contributions or expenditures.(4)The multipurpose organization has existing funds from a donor and a subsequent agreement or understanding is reached with the donor that all or a portion of the funds may be used for making contributions or expenditures in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013. The date of the subsequent agreement or understanding is deemed to be the date of receipt of the payment.(5)The multipurpose organization makes contributions or expenditures totaling more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in a period of 12 months or more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in a period of four consecutive calendar years.(A)A multipurpose organization shall not qualify as a committee within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 pursuant to this paragraph if the multipurpose organization makes contributions or expenditures using only available nondonor funds. A multipurpose organization that makes contributions or expenditures with nondonor funds shall briefly describe the source of the funds used on its major donor or independent expenditure report.(B)For purposes of this paragraph, nondonor funds means investment income, including capital gains, or income earned from providing goods, services, or facilities, whether related or unrelated to the multipurpose organizations program, sale of assets, or other receipts that are not donations.(d)A multipurpose organization that is a committee pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall comply with the registration and reporting requirements of this chapter, subject to the following:(1)The multipurpose organization is not required to comply with subdivision (k) of Section 84211 for contributions and expenditures made to influence federal or out-of-state elections, which shall instead be reported as a single expenditure and be described as such on the campaign statement.(2)A multipurpose organization registered with the Federal Election Commission is not subject to subdivisions (d) and (f) of Section 84211 but shall disclose the total amount of contributions received pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 84211, and shall disclose the multipurpose organizations name and identification number registered with the Federal Election Commission on the campaign statement.(e)(1)A multipurpose organization that is a committee pursuant to paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (c) shall comply with the registration and reporting requirements of this chapter, subject to the following, except that if the multipurpose organization is the sponsor of a committee as described in subdivision (f) it may report required information on its sponsored committee statement pursuant to subdivision (f):(A)The multipurpose organization shall register in the calendar year in which it satisfies any of the criteria in subdivision (c). The statement of organization filed pursuant to Section 84101 shall indicate that the organization is filing pursuant to this section as a multipurpose organization and state the organizations nonprofit tax exempt status, if any. The statement of organization shall also describe the organizations mission or most significant activities, and describe the organizations political activities. A multipurpose organization may comply with the requirement to describe the mission or significant activities and political activities by referencing where the organizations Internal Revenue Service Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax form may be accessed.(B)Except as provided in this subparagraph, the registration of a multipurpose organization that meets the criteria of paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) shall terminate automatically on December 31 of the calendar year in which the multipurpose organization is registered. The multipurpose organization shall not be required to file a semiannual statement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 84200, unless the multipurpose organization has undisclosed contributions or expenditures to report, in which case termination shall occur automatically upon filing the semiannual statement that is due no later than January 31. After the multipurpose organizations registration has terminated, the multipurpose organizations reporting obligations are complete, unless the organization qualifies as a committee for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 again in the following calendar year pursuant to subdivision (c) of this section. Notwithstanding this subdivision, a multipurpose organization may elect to remain registered as a committee by submitting written notification to the Secretary of State prior to the end of the calendar year.(C)A multipurpose organization shall report all contributions received that satisfy the criteria of paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (c) of this section in the manner required by subdivision (f) of Section 84211, and for the balance of its contributions or expenditures shall further report contributors based on a last in, first out accounting method.(2)A multipurpose organization reporting pursuant to this subdivision shall disclose total contributions received in an amount equal to the multipurpose organizations total contributions and expenditures made in the reporting period. When a multipurpose organization reports donors based on the last in, first out accounting method, it shall attribute to and include the information required by subdivision (f) of Section 84211 for any donor who donates one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more in a calendar year, except for the following:(A)A donor who designates or restricts the donation for purposes other than contributions or expenditures.(B)A donor who prohibits the multipurpose organizations use of its donation for contributions or expenditures.(C)A private foundation, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code, that provides a grant that does not constitute a taxable expenditure for purposes of paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 4945 of the Internal Revenue Code.(3)A multipurpose organization that qualifies as a committee pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) shall not be required to include contributions or expenditures made in a prior calendar year on the reports filed for the calendar year in which the multipurpose organization qualifies as a committee.(4)If a multipurpose organization qualifies as a committee solely pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) and the committee is required to report donors based on a last in, first out accounting method pursuant to paragraph (1), the multipurpose organization shall not be required to disclose donor information for a donation received by the multipurpose organization prior to July 1, 2014. This paragraph shall not apply with respect to a donation made by a donor who knew that the multipurpose organization would use the donation to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure in the state by requesting that the donation be used for that purpose or by making the donation in response to a message or solicitation indicating the multipurpose organizations intent to use the donation for that purpose.(5)A contributor identified and reported in the manner provided in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) that is a multipurpose organization and receives contributions that satisfy the criteria in subdivision (c) shall be subject to the requirements of this subdivision.(6)The commission shall adopt regulations establishing notice requirements and reasonable filing deadlines for donors reported as contributors based on the last in, first out accounting method.(f)A multipurpose organization that is the sponsor of a committee as defined in Section 82048.7, that is a membership organization, that makes all of its contributions and expenditures from funds derived from dues, assessments, fees, and similar payments that do not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per calendar year from a single source, and that elects to report its contributions and expenditures on its sponsored committees campaign statement pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) shall report as follows:(1)The sponsored committee shall report all contributions and expenditures made from the sponsors treasury funds on statements and reports filed by the committee. The sponsor shall use a last in, first out accounting method and disclose the information required by subdivision (f) of Section 84211 for any person who pays dues, assessments, fees, or similar payments of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to the sponsors treasury funds in a calendar year and shall disclose all contributions and expenditures made, as required by subdivision (k) of Section 84211, on the sponsored committees campaign statements.(2)The sponsored committee shall report all other contributions and expenditures in support of the committee by the sponsor, its intermediate units, and the members of those entities. A sponsoring organization makes contributions and expenditures in support of its sponsored committee when it provides the committee with money from its treasury funds, with the exception of establishment or administrative costs. With respect to dues, assessments, fees, and similar payments channeled through the sponsor or an intermediate unit to a sponsored committee, the original source of the dues, assessments, fees, and similar payments is the contributor.(3)A responsible officer of the sponsor, as well as the treasurer of the sponsored committee, shall verify the committees campaign statement pursuant to Section 81004.(g)For purposes of this section, last in, first out accounting method means an accounting method by which contributions and expenditures are attributed to the multipurpose organizations contributors in reverse chronological order beginning with the most recent of its contributors or, if there are any prior contributions or expenditures, beginning with the most recent contributor for which unattributed contributions remain.SEC. 8.SEC. 6.Section 85318 of the Government Code is amended to read:85318.(a)(1)A candidate for elective state, county, or city office may raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same elective state, county, or city office if the candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions for the general election or special general election. If the candidate for elective state, county, or city office is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the general election or special general election funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with the raising and administration of general election or special general election contributions.
(2)A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election is not defeated in the primary election or special primary election and does not otherwise withdraw from the general election or special general election for the purposes of paragraph (1), and shall not be required to refund contributions pursuant to that paragraph. A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election, may transfer funds to a committee established for the same or a different office subject to the attribution rules provided by subdivision (a) of Section 85306.
(3)Notwithstanding Section 85201, candidates for elective state, county, or city office may establish separate campaign contribution accounts for the primary and general elections or special primary and special general elections.
(b)This section does not apply in a jurisdiction in which the county or city imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.
SEC. 9.SEC. 7.Section 85600 of the Government Code is amended to read:85600.The Secretary of State shall designate in the state voter information guide those candidates for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400. Local elections officers shall designate in the county voter information guide those candidates for State Senate and Assembly who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
SEC. 10.SEC. 8.Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601.(a)A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, the Secretary of State may not include in the state voter information guide a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
(c)A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the county voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the county voter information guide.
SEC. 11.SEC. 9.Section 88000 of the Government Code is amended to read:88000.There shall be a state voter information guide which shall be prepared by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 12.SEC. 10.Section 88001 of the Government Code is amended to read:88001.The state voter information guide shall contain all of the following:
(a)A complete copy of each state measure.
(b)A copy of the specific constitutional or statutory provision, if any, that would be repealed or revised by each state measure.
(c)A copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure.
(d)A copy of the analysis of each state measure.
(e)Tables of contents, indexes, art work, graphics, and other materials that the Secretary of State determines will make the state voter information guide easier to understand or more useful for the average voter.
(f)A notice, conspicuously printed on the cover of the state voter information guide indicating that additional copies of the guide will be mailed by the county elections official upon request.
(g)A written explanation of the judicial retention procedure as required by Section 9083 of the Elections Code.
(h)The Voter Bill of Rights pursuant to Section 2300 of the Elections Code.
(i)If the ballot contains an election for the office of United States Senator, information on candidates for United States Senator. A candidate for United States Senator may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(j)If the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on justices of the Supreme Court who are subject to confirmation or retention.
(k)If the ballot contains an election for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, a notice that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for information about candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.
(l)A written explanation of the appropriate election procedures for party-nominated, voter-nominated, and nonpartisan offices as required by Section 9083.5 of the Elections Code.
(m)A written explanation of the top 10 contributor lists required by Section 84223, including a description of the internet websites where those lists are available to the public.
SEC. 13.SEC. 11.Section 88002 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.The state voter information guide shall contain as to each state measure to be voted upon, the following in the order set forth in this section:
(a)(1)Upon the top portion of the first page and not exceeding one-third of the page shall appear:
(A)The identification of the measure by number and title.
(B)The official summary prepared by the Attorney General.
(i)For a statewide referendum measure, the official summary prepared by the Attorney General shall precede all of the following in the order set forth in this clause:
(I)A blank horizontal line.
(II)After the text TOP FUNDERS OF PETITION TO OVERTURN THE LAW: a listing of the three persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures of $50,000 or more to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official. A person who is required to be listed after the official summary pursuant to this clause is a top funder.
(III)If a person that is a primarily formed ballot measure committee within the meaning of Section 82047.5 of the Government Code or a general purpose committee within the meaning of Section 82027.5 of the Government Code is one of the persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official, the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee shall not be listed as a top funder pursuant to subclause (II), and, instead, the highest contributors to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee within the prior 90 days shall be listed as top funders pursuant to subclause (II) if their contributions to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee, combined with all other contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum, qualify the person or persons as top funders.
(ii)The name of a top funder may be shortened at the discretion of the Secretary of State by using acronyms, abbreviations, or by leaving out words in the entitys name, as long as doing so would not confuse or mislead voters about the identity of a top funder.
(iii)Each top funder shall be printed in a font size that is the same as a majority of the text on the page and separated by a semicolon.
(iv)The Secretary of State shall determine the list of top funders no later than the date a referendum qualifies for the ballot.
(C)The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the State Senate and Assembly if the measure was passed by the Legislature.
(2)The space in the title and summary that is used for an explanatory table prepared pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 9087 of the Elections Code and Section 88003 shall not be included when measuring the amount of space the information described in paragraph (1) has taken for purposes of determining compliance with the restriction prohibiting the information described in paragraph (1) from exceeding one-third of the page.
(b)Beginning at the top of the right page shall appear the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst, provided that the analysis fits on a single page. If it does not fit on a single page, then the analysis shall begin on the lower portion of the first left page and shall continue on subsequent pages until it is completed.
(c)Immediately below the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst shall appear a printed statement that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for a list of committees primarily formed to support or oppose a ballot measure, and information on how to access the committees top 10 contributors.
(d)Arguments for and against the measure shall be placed on the next left and right pages, respectively, following the page on which the analysis of the Legislative Analyst ends. The rebuttals shall be placed immediately below the arguments.
(e)If no argument against the measure has been submitted, the argument for the measure shall appear on the right page facing the analysis.
(f)The complete text of each measure shall appear at the back of the state voter information guide. The text of the measure shall contain the provisions of the proposed measure and the existing provisions of law repealed or revised by the measure. The provisions of the proposed measure differing from the existing provisions of law affected shall be distinguished in print, so as to facilitate comparison.
(g)The following statement shall be printed at the bottom of each page where arguments appear: Arguments printed on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.
SEC. 14.SEC. 12.Section 88002.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.5.(a)The state voter information guide shall also contain a section, located near the front of the guide, that provides a concise summary of the general meaning and effect of yes and no votes on each state measure.
(b)The summary statements required by this section shall be prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 88006.
SEC. 15.SEC. 13.Section 88003 of the Government Code is amended to read:88003.The Legislative Analyst shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure describing the measure and including a fiscal analysis of the measure showing the amount of any increase or decrease in revenue or cost to state or local government. Any estimate of increased cost to local governments shall be set out in boldface print in the state voter information guide. The analysis shall be written in clear and concise terms which will easily be understood by the average voter, and shall avoid the use of technical terms wherever possible. The analysis may contain background information, including the effect of the measure on existing law and the effect of enacted legislation which will become effective if the measure is adopted, and shall generally set forth in an impartial manner the information which the average voter needs to understand the measure adequately. The Legislative Analyst may contract with professional writers, educational specialists, or other persons for assistance in writing an analysis that fulfills the requirements of this section, including the requirement that the analysis be written so that it will be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst may also request the assistance of any state department, agency, or official in preparing the Legislative Analysts analysis. Prior to submission of the analysis to the Secretary of State, the Legislative Analyst shall submit the analysis to a committee of five persons appointed by the Legislative Analyst for the purpose of reviewing the analysis to confirm its clarity and easy comprehension to the average voter. The committee shall be drawn from the public at large, and one member shall be a specialist in education, one shall be bilingual, and one shall be a professional writer. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. Within five days of the submission of the analysis to the committee, the committee shall make such recommendations to the Legislative Analyst as it deems appropriate to guarantee that the analysis can be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst shall consider the committees recommendations, and the Legislative Analyst shall incorporate in the analysis those changes recommended by the committee that the Legislative Analyst deems to be appropriate. The Legislative Analyst is solely responsible for determining the content of the analysis required by this section. The title and summary of any measure which appears on the ballot shall be amended to contain a summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government financial impact. For state bond measures that are submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, the summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact shall include an explanatory table of the information in the summary.
SEC. 16.SEC. 14.Section 88004 of the Government Code is amended to read:88004.Measures shall be printed in the state voter information guide, so far as possible, in the same order, manner manner, and form in which they are designated upon the ballot.
SEC. 17.SEC. 15.Section 88005 of the Government Code is amended to read:88005.The state voter information guide shall be printed according to the following specifications:
(a)The guide shall be printed in clear readable type, no less than 10-point, except that the text of any measure may be set forth in 8-point type.
(b)It shall be of a size and printed on a quality and weight of paper which in the judgment of the Secretary of State best serves the voters.
(c)The guide shall contain a certificate of correctness by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 18.SEC. 16.Section 88006 of the Government Code is amended to read:88006.Not less than 20 days before submitting the copy for the state voter information guide to the State Printer, the Secretary of State shall make the copy available for public examination. Any elector may seek a writ of mandate requiring the copy to be amended or deleted from the state voter information guide. A peremptory writ of mandate shall issue only upon clear and convincing proof that the copy in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter or the Elections Code, and that issuance of the writ will not substantially interfere with the printing and distribution of the state voter information guide as required by law. Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County. The Secretary of State shall be named as the respondent and the State Printer and the person or official who authored the copy in question shall be named as real parties in interest. If the proceeding is initiated by the Secretary of State, the State Printer shall be named as the respondent.
SEC. 19.SEC. 17.Section 88007 of the Government Code is amended to read:88007.Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 81012, the Legislature may without restriction amend this chapter to add to the state voter information guide information regarding candidates or any other information.
SEC. 20.SEC. 18.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting Section 6 8 of this bill to ensure that Senate Bill No. 948 (Chapter 125 of the Statutes of 2024) is interpreted consistent with the Fair Political Practices Commissions advice in its Brown Advice Letter No. A-09-276 issued on January 25, 2010.
SEC. 2.Section 81001 of the Government Code is amended to read:81001.The people find and declare as follows:
(a)State and local government should serve the needs and respond to the wishes of all citizens equally, without regard to their wealth;
(b)Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them;
(c)Costs of conducting election campaigns have increased greatly in recent years, and candidates have been forced to finance their campaigns by seeking large contributions from lobbyists and organizations who thereby gain disproportionate influence over governmental decisions;
(d)The influence of large campaign contributors is increased because existing laws for disclosure of campaign receipts and expenditures have proved to be inadequate;
(e)Lobbyists often make their contributions to incumbents who cannot be effectively challenged because of election laws and abusive practices which give the incumbent an unfair advantage;
(f)The wealthy individuals and organizations which make large campaign contributions frequently extend their influence by employing lobbyists and spending large amounts to influence legislative and administrative actions;
(g)The influence of large campaign contributors in ballot measure elections is increased because the state voter information guide mailed to the voters by the state is difficult to read and almost impossible for a layperson to understand; and
(h)Previous laws regulating political practices have suffered from inadequate enforcement by state and local authorities.
SEC. 3.Section 81002 of the Government Code is amended to read:81002.The people enact this title to accomplish the following purposes:
(a)Receipts and expenditures in election campaigns should be fully and truthfully disclosed in order that the voters may be fully informed and improper practices may be inhibited.
(b)The activities of lobbyists should be regulated and their finances disclosed in order that improper influences will not be directed at public officials.
(c)Assets and income of public officials which may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided.
(d)The state voter information guide should be converted into a useful document so that voters will not be entirely dependent on paid advertising for information regarding state measures.
(e)Laws and practices unfairly favoring incumbents should be abolished in order that elections may be conducted more fairly.
(f)Adequate enforcement mechanisms should be provided to public officials and private citizens in order that this title will be vigorously enforced.
SEC. 4.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.
(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, but after the closing date of the last campaign statement required to be filed before the election pursuant to Section 84200.8 or 84200.9, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this subdivision shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215.
(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this section shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and shall be filed at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.
(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.
(e)(1)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.
(2)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.
SEC. 5.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall email or send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall email or send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.
(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 within 16 days before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, the committee shall file, within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, an original statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State, and a copy with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215 by email, fax, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery.
(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the original of its statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State. The committee shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures, by email, facsimile transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.
(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.
(e)(1)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized person means a person, other than the treasurer, who is authorized to obtain the bank records of the committee from the financial institution where the campaign bank account is maintained.
(2)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number and the name of an authorized person included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number or the name of an authorized person on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.
(3)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number and the name of an authorized person on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.
SEC. 6.Section 84217 of the Government Code is amended to read:84217.When the Secretary of State receives any campaign statement filed pursuant to the federal Election Campaign Act, (2 U.S.C.A. Section 431 (52 U.S.C.A. Section 30101 et seq.) the Secretary of State shall send a copy of the statement to the following officers:
(a)Statements of candidates for President, Vice President or United States Senator and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County and one copy with the Registrar of Voters of the City and County of San Francisco;
(b)Statements of candidates for United States Representative in Congress and committees supporting such candidatesone copy with the clerk of the county which contains the largest percentage of the registered voters in the election district which the candidate or any of the candidates seek nomination or election and one copy with the clerk of the county within which the candidate resides or in which the committee is domiciled, provided that if the committee is not domiciled in California the statement shall be sent to the Registrar-Recorder of Los Angeles County. No more than one copy of each statement need be filed with the clerk of any county.
SEC. 7.Section 84222 of the Government Code is amended to read:84222.(a)For purposes of this title, multipurpose organization means an organization described in Sections 501(c)(3) to 501(c)(10), inclusive, of the Internal Revenue Code and that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a federal or out-of-state political organization, a trade association, a professional association, a civic organization, a religious organization, a fraternal society, an educational institution, or any other association or group of persons acting in concert, that is operating for purposes other than making contributions or expenditures. Multipurpose organization does not include a business entity, an individual, or a federal candidates authorized committee, as defined in Section 431 30101 of Title 2 52 of the United States Code, that is registered and filing reports pursuant to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-225).
(b)A multipurpose organization that makes expenditures or contributions and does not qualify as a committee pursuant to subdivision (c) may qualify as an independent expenditure committee or major donor committee if the multipurpose organization satisfies subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 82013.
(c)Except as provided in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5), a multipurpose organization is a recipient committee within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 only under one or more of the following circumstances:
(1)The multipurpose organization is a political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission, except as provided in subdivision (a) of this section, or a political committee registered with another state, and the multipurpose organization makes contributions or expenditures in this state in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013.
(2)The multipurpose organization solicits and receives payments from donors in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013 for the purpose of making contributions or expenditures.
(3)The multipurpose organization accepts payments from donors in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013 subject to a condition, agreement, or understanding with the donor that all or a portion of the payments may be used for making contributions or expenditures.
(4)The multipurpose organization has existing funds from a donor and a subsequent agreement or understanding is reached with the donor that all or a portion of the funds may be used for making contributions or expenditures in an amount equal to or greater than the amount identified in subdivision (a) of Section 82013. The date of the subsequent agreement or understanding is deemed to be the date of receipt of the payment.
(5)The multipurpose organization makes contributions or expenditures totaling more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in a period of 12 months or more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in a period of four consecutive calendar years.
(A)A multipurpose organization shall not qualify as a committee within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 pursuant to this paragraph if the multipurpose organization makes contributions or expenditures using only available nondonor funds. A multipurpose organization that makes contributions or expenditures with nondonor funds shall briefly describe the source of the funds used on its major donor or independent expenditure report.
(B)For purposes of this paragraph, nondonor funds means investment income, including capital gains, or income earned from providing goods, services, or facilities, whether related or unrelated to the multipurpose organizations program, sale of assets, or other receipts that are not donations.
(d)A multipurpose organization that is a committee pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall comply with the registration and reporting requirements of this chapter, subject to the following:
(1)The multipurpose organization is not required to comply with subdivision (k) of Section 84211 for contributions and expenditures made to influence federal or out-of-state elections, which shall instead be reported as a single expenditure and be described as such on the campaign statement.
(2)A multipurpose organization registered with the Federal Election Commission is not subject to subdivisions (d) and (f) of Section 84211 but shall disclose the total amount of contributions received pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 84211, and shall disclose the multipurpose organizations name and identification number registered with the Federal Election Commission on the campaign statement.
(e)(1)A multipurpose organization that is a committee pursuant to paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5) of subdivision (c) shall comply with the registration and reporting requirements of this chapter, subject to the following, except that if the multipurpose organization is the sponsor of a committee as described in subdivision (f) it may report required information on its sponsored committee statement pursuant to subdivision (f):
(A)The multipurpose organization shall register in the calendar year in which it satisfies any of the criteria in subdivision (c). The statement of organization filed pursuant to Section 84101 shall indicate that the organization is filing pursuant to this section as a multipurpose organization and state the organizations nonprofit tax exempt status, if any. The statement of organization shall also describe the organizations mission or most significant activities, and describe the organizations political activities. A multipurpose organization may comply with the requirement to describe the mission or significant activities and political activities by referencing where the organizations Internal Revenue Service Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax form may be accessed.
(B)Except as provided in this subparagraph, the registration of a multipurpose organization that meets the criteria of paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) shall terminate automatically on December 31 of the calendar year in which the multipurpose organization is registered. The multipurpose organization shall not be required to file a semiannual statement pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 84200, unless the multipurpose organization has undisclosed contributions or expenditures to report, in which case termination shall occur automatically upon filing the semiannual statement that is due no later than January 31. After the multipurpose organizations registration has terminated, the multipurpose organizations reporting obligations are complete, unless the organization qualifies as a committee for purposes of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 again in the following calendar year pursuant to subdivision (c) of this section. Notwithstanding this subdivision, a multipurpose organization may elect to remain registered as a committee by submitting written notification to the Secretary of State prior to the end of the calendar year.
(C)A multipurpose organization shall report all contributions received that satisfy the criteria of paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (c) of this section in the manner required by subdivision (f) of Section 84211, and for the balance of its contributions or expenditures shall further report contributors based on a last in, first out accounting method.
(2)A multipurpose organization reporting pursuant to this subdivision shall disclose total contributions received in an amount equal to the multipurpose organizations total contributions and expenditures made in the reporting period. When a multipurpose organization reports donors based on the last in, first out accounting method, it shall attribute to and include the information required by subdivision (f) of Section 84211 for any donor who donates one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more in a calendar year, except for the following:
(A)A donor who designates or restricts the donation for purposes other than contributions or expenditures.
(B)A donor who prohibits the multipurpose organizations use of its donation for contributions or expenditures.
(C)A private foundation, as defined by subdivision (a) of Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code, that provides a grant that does not constitute a taxable expenditure for purposes of paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 4945 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(3)A multipurpose organization that qualifies as a committee pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) shall not be required to include contributions or expenditures made in a prior calendar year on the reports filed for the calendar year in which the multipurpose organization qualifies as a committee.
(4)If a multipurpose organization qualifies as a committee solely pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) and the committee is required to report donors based on a last in, first out accounting method pursuant to paragraph (1), the multipurpose organization shall not be required to disclose donor information for a donation received by the multipurpose organization prior to July 1, 2014. This paragraph shall not apply with respect to a donation made by a donor who knew that the multipurpose organization would use the donation to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure in the state by requesting that the donation be used for that purpose or by making the donation in response to a message or solicitation indicating the multipurpose organizations intent to use the donation for that purpose.
(5)A contributor identified and reported in the manner provided in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) that is a multipurpose organization and receives contributions that satisfy the criteria in subdivision (c) shall be subject to the requirements of this subdivision.
(6)The commission shall adopt regulations establishing notice requirements and reasonable filing deadlines for donors reported as contributors based on the last in, first out accounting method.
(f)A multipurpose organization that is the sponsor of a committee as defined in Section 82048.7, that is a membership organization, that makes all of its contributions and expenditures from funds derived from dues, assessments, fees, and similar payments that do not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per calendar year from a single source, and that elects to report its contributions and expenditures on its sponsored committees campaign statement pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) shall report as follows:
(1)The sponsored committee shall report all contributions and expenditures made from the sponsors treasury funds on statements and reports filed by the committee. The sponsor shall use a last in, first out accounting method and disclose the information required by subdivision (f) of Section 84211 for any person who pays dues, assessments, fees, or similar payments of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to the sponsors treasury funds in a calendar year and shall disclose all contributions and expenditures made, as required by subdivision (k) of Section 84211, on the sponsored committees campaign statements.
(2)The sponsored committee shall report all other contributions and expenditures in support of the committee by the sponsor, its intermediate units, and the members of those entities. A sponsoring organization makes contributions and expenditures in support of its sponsored committee when it provides the committee with money from its treasury funds, with the exception of establishment or administrative costs. With respect to dues, assessments, fees, and similar payments channeled through the sponsor or an intermediate unit to a sponsored committee, the original source of the dues, assessments, fees, and similar payments is the contributor.
(3)A responsible officer of the sponsor, as well as the treasurer of the sponsored committee, shall verify the committees campaign statement pursuant to Section 81004.
(g)For purposes of this section, last in, first out accounting method means an accounting method by which contributions and expenditures are attributed to the multipurpose organizations contributors in reverse chronological order beginning with the most recent of its contributors or, if there are any prior contributions or expenditures, beginning with the most recent contributor for which unattributed contributions remain.
SEC. 6.SEC. 8.Section 85318 of the Government Code is amended to read:85318.(a)(1)A candidate for elective state, county, or city office may raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same elective state, county, or city office if the candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions for the general election or special general election. If the candidate for elective state, county, or city office is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the general election or special general election funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with the raising and administration of general election or special general election contributions.
(2)A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election is not defeated in the primary election or special primary election and does not otherwise withdraw from the general election or special general election for the purposes of paragraph (1), and shall not be required to refund contributions pursuant to that paragraph. A candidate whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election, may transfer funds to a committee established for the same or a different office subject to the attribution rules provided by subdivision (a) of Section 85306.
(3)Notwithstanding Section 85201, candidates for elective state, county, or city office may establish separate campaign contribution accounts for the primary and general elections or special primary and special general elections.
(b)This section does not apply in a jurisdiction in which the county or city imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.
SEC. 7.SEC. 9.Section 85600 of the Government Code is amended to read:85600.The Secretary of State shall designate in the state voter information guide those candidates for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400. Local elections officers shall designate in the county voter information guide those candidates for State Senate and Assembly who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
SEC. 8.SEC. 10.Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601.(a)A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, the Secretary of State may not include in the state voter information guide a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
(c)A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the county voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the county voter information guide.
SEC. 9.SEC. 11.Section 88000 of the Government Code is amended to read:88000.There shall be a state voter information guide which shall be prepared by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 10.SEC. 12.Section 88001 of the Government Code is amended to read:88001.The state voter information guide shall contain all of the following:
(a)A complete copy of each state measure.
(b)A copy of the specific constitutional or statutory provision, if any, that would be repealed or revised by each state measure.
(c)A copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure.
(d)A copy of the analysis of each state measure.
(e)Tables of contents, indexes, art work, graphics, and other materials that the Secretary of State determines will make the state voter information guide easier to understand or more useful for the average voter.
(f)A notice, conspicuously printed on the cover of the state voter information guide indicating that additional copies of the guide will be mailed by the county elections official upon request.
(g)A written explanation of the judicial retention procedure as required by Section 9083 of the Elections Code.
(h)The Voter Bill of Rights pursuant to Section 2300 of the Elections Code.
(i)If the ballot contains an election for the office of United States Senator, information on candidates for United States Senator. A candidate for United States Senator may purchase the space to place a statement in the state voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state voter information guide.
(j)If the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on justices of the Supreme Court who are subject to confirmation or retention.
(k)If the ballot contains an election for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, a notice that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for information about candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.
(l)A written explanation of the appropriate election procedures for party-nominated, voter-nominated, and nonpartisan offices as required by Section 9083.5 of the Elections Code.
(m)A written explanation of the top 10 contributor lists required by Section 84223, including a description of the internet websites where those lists are available to the public.
SEC. 11.SEC. 13.Section 88002 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.The state voter information guide shall contain as to each state measure to be voted upon, the following in the order set forth in this section:
(a)(1)Upon the top portion of the first page and not exceeding one-third of the page shall appear:
(A)The identification of the measure by number and title.
(B)The official summary prepared by the Attorney General.
(i)For a statewide referendum measure, the official summary prepared by the Attorney General shall precede all of the following in the order set forth in this clause:
(I)A blank horizontal line.
(II)After the text TOP FUNDERS OF PETITION TO OVERTURN THE LAW: a listing of the three persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures of $50,000 or more to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official. A person who is required to be listed after the official summary pursuant to this clause is a top funder.
(III)If a person that is a primarily formed ballot measure committee within the meaning of Section 82047.5 of the Government Code or a general purpose committee within the meaning of Section 82027.5 of the Government Code is one of the persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official, the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee shall not be listed as a top funder pursuant to subclause (II), and, instead, the highest contributors to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee within the prior 90 days shall be listed as top funders pursuant to subclause (II) if their contributions to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee, combined with all other contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum, qualify the person or persons as top funders.
(ii)The name of a top funder may be shortened at the discretion of the Secretary of State by using acronyms, abbreviations, or by leaving out words in the entitys name, as long as doing so would not confuse or mislead voters about the identity of a top funder.
(iii)Each top funder shall be printed in a font size that is the same as a majority of the text on the page and separated by a semicolon.
(iv)The Secretary of State shall determine the list of top funders no later than the date a referendum qualifies for the ballot.
(C)The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the State Senate and Assembly if the measure was passed by the Legislature.
(2)The space in the title and summary that is used for an explanatory table prepared pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 9087 of the Elections Code and Section 88003 shall not be included when measuring the amount of space the information described in paragraph (1) has taken for purposes of determining compliance with the restriction prohibiting the information described in paragraph (1) from exceeding one-third of the page.
(b)Beginning at the top of the right page shall appear the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst, provided that the analysis fits on a single page. If it does not fit on a single page, then the analysis shall begin on the lower portion of the first left page and shall continue on subsequent pages until it is completed.
(c)Immediately below the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst shall appear a printed statement that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for a list of committees primarily formed to support or oppose a ballot measure, and information on how to access the committees top 10 contributors.
(d)Arguments for and against the measure shall be placed on the next left and right pages, respectively, following the page on which the analysis of the Legislative Analyst ends. The rebuttals shall be placed immediately below the arguments.
(e)If no argument against the measure has been submitted, the argument for the measure shall appear on the right page facing the analysis.
(f)The complete text of each measure shall appear at the back of the state voter information guide. The text of the measure shall contain the provisions of the proposed measure and the existing provisions of law repealed or revised by the measure. The provisions of the proposed measure differing from the existing provisions of law affected shall be distinguished in print, so as to facilitate comparison.
(g)The following statement shall be printed at the bottom of each page where arguments appear: Arguments printed on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.
SEC. 12.SEC. 14.Section 88002.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.5.(a)The state voter information guide shall also contain a section, located near the front of the guide, that provides a concise summary of the general meaning and effect of yes and no votes on each state measure.
(b)The summary statements required by this section shall be prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 88006.
SEC. 13.SEC. 15.Section 88003 of the Government Code is amended to read:88003.The Legislative Analyst shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure describing the measure and including a fiscal analysis of the measure showing the amount of any increase or decrease in revenue or cost to state or local government. Any estimate of increased cost to local governments shall be set out in boldface print in the state voter information guide. The analysis shall be written in clear and concise terms which will easily be understood by the average voter, and shall avoid the use of technical terms wherever possible. The analysis may contain background information, including the effect of the measure on existing law and the effect of enacted legislation which will become effective if the measure is adopted, and shall generally set forth in an impartial manner the information which the average voter needs to understand the measure adequately. The Legislative Analyst may contract with professional writers, educational specialists, or other persons for assistance in writing an analysis that fulfills the requirements of this section, including the requirement that the analysis be written so that it will be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst may also request the assistance of any state department, agency, or official in preparing the Legislative Analysts analysis. Prior to submission of the analysis to the Secretary of State, the Legislative Analyst shall submit the analysis to a committee of five persons appointed by the Legislative Analyst for the purpose of reviewing the analysis to confirm its clarity and easy comprehension to the average voter. The committee shall be drawn from the public at large, and one member shall be a specialist in education, one shall be bilingual, and one shall be a professional writer. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. Within five days of the submission of the analysis to the committee, the committee shall make such recommendations to the Legislative Analyst as it deems appropriate to guarantee that the analysis can be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst shall consider the committees recommendations, and the Legislative Analyst shall incorporate in the analysis those changes recommended by the committee that the Legislative Analyst deems to be appropriate. The Legislative Analyst is solely responsible for determining the content of the analysis required by this section. The title and summary of any measure which appears on the ballot shall be amended to contain a summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government financial impact. For state bond measures that are submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, the summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact shall include an explanatory table of the information in the summary.
SEC. 14.SEC. 16.Section 88004 of the Government Code is amended to read:88004.Measures shall be printed in the state voter information guide, so far as possible, in the same order, manner and form in which they are designated upon the ballot.
SEC. 15.SEC. 17.Section 88005 of the Government Code is amended to read:88005.The state voter information guide shall be printed according to the following specifications:
(a)The guide shall be printed in clear readable type, no less than 10-point, except that the text of any measure may be set forth in 8-point type.
(b)It shall be of a size and printed on a quality and weight of paper which in the judgment of the Secretary of State best serves the voters.
(c)The guide shall contain a certificate of correctness by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 16.SEC. 18.Section 88006 of the Government Code is amended to read:88006.Not less than 20 days before submitting the copy for the state voter information guide to the State Printer, the Secretary of State shall make the copy available for public examination. Any elector may seek a writ of mandate requiring the copy to be amended or deleted from the state voter information guide. A peremptory writ of mandate shall issue only upon clear and convincing proof that the copy in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter or the Elections Code, and that issuance of the writ will not substantially interfere with the printing and distribution of the state voter information guide as required by law. Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County. The Secretary of State shall be named as the respondent and the State Printer and the person or official who authored the copy in question shall be named as real parties in interest. If the proceeding is initiated by the Secretary of State, the State Printer shall be named as the respondent.
SEC. 17.SEC. 19.Section 88007 of the Government Code is amended to read:88007.Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 81012, the Legislature may without restriction amend this chapter to add to the state voter information guide information regarding candidates or any other information.
SEC. 18.SEC. 20.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting Section 6 of this bill to ensure that Senate Bill No. 948 (Chapter 125 of the Statutes of 2024) is interpreted consistent with the Fair Political Practices Commissions advice in its Brown Advice Letter No. A-09-276 issued on January 25, 2010.
SEC. 2.Section 81001 of the Government Code is amended to read:81001.The people find and declare as follows:
(a)State and local government should serve the needs and respond to the wishes of all citizens equally, without regard to their wealth;
(b)Public officials, whether elected or appointed, should perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them;
(c)Costs of conducting election campaigns have increased greatly in recent years, and candidates have been forced to finance their campaigns by seeking large contributions from lobbyists and organizations who thereby gain disproportionate influence over governmental decisions;
(d)The influence of large campaign contributors is increased because existing laws for disclosure of campaign receipts and expenditures have proved to be inadequate;
(e)Lobbyists often make their contributions to incumbents who cannot be effectively challenged because of election laws and abusive practices which give the incumbent an unfair advantage;
(f)The wealthy individuals and organizations which make large campaign contributions frequently extend their influence by employing lobbyists and spending large amounts to influence legislative and administrative actions;
(g)The influence of large campaign contributors in ballot measure elections is increased because the ballot pamphlet state voter information guide mailed to the voters by the state is difficult to read and almost impossible for a layperson to understand; and
(h)Previous laws regulating political practices have suffered from inadequate enforcement by state and local authorities.
SEC. 3.Section 81002 of the Government Code is amended to read:81002.The people enact this title to accomplish the following purposes:
(a)Receipts and expenditures in election campaigns should be fully and truthfully disclosed in order that the voters may be fully informed and improper practices may be inhibited.
(b)The activities of lobbyists should be regulated and their finances disclosed in order that improper influences will not be directed at public officials.
(c)Assets and income of public officials which may be materially affected by their official actions should be disclosed and in appropriate circumstances the officials should be disqualified from acting in order that conflicts of interest may be avoided.
(d)The state ballot pamphlet voter information guide should be converted into a useful document so that voters will not be entirely dependent on paid advertising for information regarding state measures.
(e)Laws and practices unfairly favoring incumbents should be abolished in order that elections may be conducted more fairly.
(f)Adequate enforcement mechanisms should be provided to public officials and private citizens in order that this title will be vigorously enforced.
SEC. 4.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.
(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, but after the closing date of the last campaign statement required to be filed before the election pursuant to Section 84200.8 or 84200.9, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this subdivision shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215.
(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, by facsimile transmission, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the information required to be reported in the statement of organization. The information required by this section shall be filed with the filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and shall be filed at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.
(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a sample ballot state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.
(e)(1)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.
(2)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.
SEC. 5.Section 84101 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 2 of Chapter 180 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:84101.(a)A committee that is a committee by virtue of subdivision (a) of Section 82013 shall file a statement of organization. The committee shall file the original of the statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State and shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215. The original and copy of the statement of organization shall be filed within 10 days after the committee has qualified as a committee. The Secretary of State shall assign a number to each committee that files a statement of organization and shall notify the committee of the number. The Secretary of State shall email or send a copy of statements filed pursuant to this section, with the information specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) redacted, to the county elections official of each county that the Secretary of State deems appropriate. A county elections official who receives a copy of a statement of organization from the Secretary of State pursuant to this section shall email or send a copy of the statement to the clerk of each city in the county that the county elections official deems appropriate.
(b)In addition to filing the statement of organization as required by subdivision (a), if a committee qualifies as a committee under subdivision (a) of Section 82013 within 16 days before the date of an election in connection with which the committee is required to file preelection statements, the committee shall file, within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, an original statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State, and a copy with the local filing officer, if any, with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215 by email, fax, online transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery.
(c)If an independent expenditure committee qualifies as a committee pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 82013 during the time period described in Section 82036.5 and makes independent expenditures of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more to support or oppose a candidate or candidates for office, the committee shall file, within 24 hours of qualifying as a committee, the original of its statement of organization online or electronically with the Secretary of State. The committee shall also file a copy of the statement of organization with the local filing officer with whom the committee is required to file an original campaign statement pursuant to Section 84215, and at all locations required for the candidate or candidates supported or opposed by the independent expenditures, by email, facsimile transmission, guaranteed overnight delivery, or personal delivery. The filings required by this section are in addition to filings that may be required by Section 84204.
(d)For purposes of this section, in calculating whether two thousand dollars ($2,000) in contributions has been received, payments for a filing fee or for a statement of qualifications to appear in a sample ballot state or county voter information guide shall not be included if these payments have been made from the candidates personal funds.
(e)(1)For purposes of this subdivision, authorized person means a person, other than the treasurer, who is authorized to obtain the bank records of the committee from the financial institution where the campaign bank account is maintained.
(2)A committee may redact, or otherwise omit, a bank account number and the name of an authorized person included on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer pursuant to subdivision (a). A local filing officer shall not require a committee to disclose a bank account number or the name of an authorized person on the copy of the statement of organization filed with the local filing officer as a condition of accepting that filing.
(3)Notwithstanding Section 81008 or the California Public Records Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 7920.000) of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Secretary of State shall redact the bank account number and the name of an authorized person on a statement of organization filed with the Secretary of State before making the statement available to the public in any form.
SEC. 6.Section 85318 of the Government Code is amended to read:85318.(a)(1)A candidate for elective state, county, or city office may raise contributions for a general election before the primary election, and for a special general election before a special primary election, for the same elective state, county, or city office if the candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions for the general election or special general election. If the candidate for elective state, county, or city office is defeated in the primary election or special primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election or special general election, the general election or special general election funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with the raising and administration of general election or special general election contributions.
(2)A candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election is not defeated in the primary election or special primary election and does not otherwise withdraw from the general election or special general election for the purposes of paragraph (1), and shall not be required to refund contributions pursuant to that paragraph. A candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election whose name has not been listed on the ballot at a primary election or special primary election, and who has not qualified to have write-in votes cast on their behalf counted by elections officials for nomination or election to an elective office at a primary election or special primary election, may transfer funds to a committee established for the same or a different office subject to the attribution rules provided by subdivision (a) of Section 85306.
(3)Notwithstanding Section 85201, candidates for elective state, county, or city office may establish separate campaign contribution accounts for the primary and general elections or special primary and special general elections.
(b)This section does not apply in a jurisdiction in which the county or city imposes a limit on contributions pursuant to Section 85702.5.
SEC. 7.Section 85600 of the Government Code is amended to read:85600.The Secretary of State shall designate in the state ballot pamphlet voter information guide those candidates for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400. Local elections officers shall designate in the voter information portion of the sample ballot county voter information guide those candidates for State Senate and Assembly who have voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
SEC. 8.Section 85601 of the Government Code is amended to read:85601.(a)A candidate for statewide elective office, as defined in Section 82053, who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlets. voter information guide.
(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 88001 of this code or subdivision (e) of Section 9084 of the Elections Code, on and after November 6, 2002, Code, the Secretary of State may not include in the state ballot pamphlet voter information guide a statement from a candidate who has not voluntarily agreed to the expenditure limitations set forth in Section 85400.
(c)A candidate for State Senate or Assembly who accepts the voluntary expenditure limits set forth in Section 85400 may purchase the space to place a statement in the voter information portion of the sample ballot county voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with the timeframes and procedures set forth in the Elections Code for the preparation of the voter information portion of the sample ballot. county voter information guide.
SEC. 9.Section 88000 of the Government Code is amended to read:88000.There shall be a state ballot pamphlet voter information guide which shall be prepared by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 10.Section 88001 of the Government Code is amended to read:88001.The ballot pamphlet state voter information guide shall contain all of the following:
(a)A complete copy of each state measure.
(b)A copy of the specific constitutional or statutory provision, if any, that would be repealed or revised by each state measure.
(c)A copy of the arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure.
(d)A copy of the analysis of each state measure.
(e)Tables of contents, indexes, art work, graphics, and other materials that the Secretary of State determines will make the ballot pamphlet state voter information guide easier to understand or more useful for the average voter.
(f)A notice, conspicuously printed on the cover of the ballot pamphlet, state voter information guide indicating that additional copies of the ballot pamphlet guide will be mailed by the county elections official upon request.
(g)A written explanation of the judicial retention procedure as required by Section 9083 of the Elections Code.
(h)The Voter Bill of Rights pursuant to Section 2300 of the Elections Code.
(i)If the ballot contains an election for the office of United States Senator, information on candidates for United States Senator. A candidate for United States Senator may purchase the space to place a statement in the state ballot pamphlet voter information guide that does not exceed 250 words. The statement may not make any reference to any opponent of the candidate. The statement shall be submitted in accordance with timeframes and procedures set forth by the Secretary of State for the preparation of the state ballot pamphlet. voter information guide.
(j)If the ballot contains a question as to the confirmation or retention of a justice of the Supreme Court, information on justices of the Supreme Court who are subject to confirmation or retention.
(k)If the ballot contains an election for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States, a notice that refers voters to the Secretary of States Internet Web site internet website for information about candidates for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.
(l)A written explanation of the appropriate election procedures for party-nominated, voter-nominated, and nonpartisan offices as required by Section 9083.5 of the Elections Code.
(m)A written explanation of the top 10 contributor lists required by Section 84223, including a description of the Internet Web sites internet websites where those lists are available to the public.
SEC. 11.Section 88002 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.The ballot pamphlet state voter information guide shall contain as to each state measure to be voted upon, the following in the order set forth in this section:
(a)(1)Upon the top portion of the first page and not exceeding one-third of the page shall appear:
(A)The identification of the measure by number and title.
(B)The official summary prepared by the Attorney General.
(i)For a statewide referendum measure, the official summary prepared by the Attorney General shall precede all of the following in the order set forth in this clause:
(I)A blank horizontal line.
(II)After the text TOP FUNDERS OF PETITION TO OVERTURN THE LAW: a listing of the three persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures of $50,000 or more to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official. A person who is required to be listed after the official summary pursuant to this clause is a top funder.
(III)If a person that is a primarily formed ballot measure committee within the meaning of Section 82047.5 of the Government Code or a general purpose committee within the meaning of Section 82027.5 of the Government Code is one of the persons who made the most aggregated contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum as of the last day petitions are filed with an elections official, the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee shall not be listed as a top funder pursuant to subclause (II), and, instead, the highest contributors to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee within the prior 90 days shall be listed as top funders pursuant to subclause (II) if their contributions to the primarily formed committee or general purpose committee, combined with all other contributions and expenditures to qualify the referendum, qualify the person or persons as top funders.
(ii)The name of a top funder may be shortened at the discretion of the Secretary of State by using acronyms, abbreviations, or by leaving out words in the entitys name, as long as doing so would not confuse or mislead voters about the identity of a top funder.
(iii)Each top funder shall be printed in a font size that is the same as a majority of the text on the page and separated by a semicolon.
(iv)The Secretary of State shall determine the list of top funders no later than the date a referendum qualifies for the ballot.
(C)The total number of votes cast for and against the measure in both the State Senate and Assembly if the measure was passed by the Legislature.
(2)The space in the title and summary that is used for an explanatory table prepared pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 9087 of the Elections Code and Section 88003 shall not be included when measuring the amount of space the information described in paragraph (1) has taken for purposes of determining compliance with the restriction prohibiting the information described in paragraph (1) from exceeding one-third of the page.
(b)Beginning at the top of the right page shall appear the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst, provided that the analysis fits on a single page. If it does not fit on a single page, then the analysis shall begin on the lower portion of the first left page and shall continue on subsequent pages until it is completed.
(c)Immediately below the analysis prepared by the Legislative Analyst shall appear a printed statement that refers voters to the Secretary of States internet website for a list of committees primarily formed to support or oppose a ballot measure, and information on how to access the committees top 10 contributors.
(d)Arguments for and against the measure shall be placed on the next left and right pages, respectively, following the page on which the analysis of the Legislative Analyst ends. The rebuttals shall be placed immediately below the arguments.
(e)If no argument against the measure has been submitted, the argument for the measure shall appear on the right page facing the analysis.
(f)The complete text of each measure shall appear at the back of the pamphlet. state voter information guide. The text of the measure shall contain the provisions of the proposed measure and the existing provisions of law repealed or revised by the measure. The provisions of the proposed measure differing from the existing provisions of law affected shall be distinguished in print, so as to facilitate comparison.
(g)The following statement shall be printed at the bottom of each page where arguments appear: Arguments printed on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.
SEC. 12.Section 88002.5 of the Government Code is amended to read:88002.5.(a)The ballot pamphlet state voter information guide shall also contain a section, located near the front of the pamphlet, guide, that provides a concise summary of the general meaning and effect of yes and no votes on each state measure.
(b)The summary statements required by this section shall be prepared by the Legislative Analyst. These statements are not intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure. The Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the contents of these statements. The statements shall be available for public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 88006.
SEC. 13.Section 88003 of the Government Code is amended to read:88003.The Legislative Analyst shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure describing the measure and including a fiscal analysis of the measure showing the amount of any increase or decrease in revenue or cost to state or local government. Any estimate of increased cost to local governments shall be set out in boldface print in the ballot pamphlet. state voter information guide. The analysis shall be written in clear and concise terms which will easily be understood by the average voter, and shall avoid the use of technical terms wherever possible. The analysis may contain background information, including the effect of the measure on existing law and the effect of enacted legislation which will become effective if the measure is adopted, and shall generally set forth in an impartial manner the information which the average voter needs to understand the measure adequately. The Legislative Analyst may contract with professional writers, educational specialists, or other persons for assistance in writing an analysis that fulfills the requirements of this section, including the requirement that the analysis be written so that it will be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst may also request the assistance of any state department, agency, or official in preparing the Legislative Analysts analysis. Prior to submission of the analysis to the Secretary of State, the Legislative Analyst shall submit the analysis to a committee of five persons appointed by the Legislative Analyst for the purpose of reviewing the analysis to confirm its clarity and easy comprehension to the average voter. The committee shall be drawn from the public at large, and one member shall be a specialist in education, one shall be bilingual, and one shall be a professional writer. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in performing their duties. Within five days of the submission of the analysis to the committee, the committee shall make such recommendations to the Legislative Analyst as it deems appropriate to guarantee that the analysis can be easily understood by the average voter. The Legislative Analyst shall consider the committees recommendations, and the Legislative Analyst shall incorporate in the analysis those changes recommended by the committee that the Legislative Analyst deems to be appropriate. The Legislative Analyst is solely responsible for determining the content of the analysis required by this section. The title and summary of any measure which appears on the ballot shall be amended to contain a summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government financial impact. For state bond measures that are submitted to the voters for their approval or rejection, the summary of the Legislative Analysts estimate of the net state and local government fiscal impact shall include an explanatory table of the information in the summary.
SEC. 14.Section 88004 of the Government Code is amended to read:88004.Measures shall be printed in the ballot pamphlet, state voter information guide, so far as possible, in the same order, manner and form in which they are designated upon the ballot.
SEC. 15.Section 88005 of the Government Code is amended to read:88005.The ballot pamphlet state voter information guide shall be printed according to the following specifications:
(a)The pamphlet guide shall be printed in clear readable type, no less than 10-point, except that the text of any measure may be set forth in 8-point type.
(b)It shall be of a size and printed on a quality and weight of paper which in the judgment of the Secretary of State best serves the voters.
(c)The pamphlet guide shall contain a certificate of correctness by the Secretary of State.
SEC. 16.Section 88006 of the Government Code is amended to read:88006.Not less than 20 days before submitting the copy for the ballot pamphlet state voter information guide to the State Printer, the Secretary of State shall make the copy available for public examination. Any elector may seek a writ of mandate requiring the copy to be amended or deleted from the ballot pamphlet. state voter information guide. A peremptory writ of mandate shall issue only upon clear and convincing proof that the copy in question is false, misleading, or inconsistent with the requirements of this chapter or the Elections Code, and that issuance of the writ will not substantially interfere with the printing and distribution of the ballot pamphlet state voter information guide as required by law. Venue for a proceeding under this section shall be exclusively in Sacramento County. The Secretary of State shall be named as the respondent and the State Printer and the person or official who authored the copy in question shall be named as real parties in interest. If the proceeding is initiated by the Secretary of State, the State Printer shall be named as the respondent.
SEC. 17.Section 88007 of the Government Code is amended to read:88007.Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 81012, the Legislature may without restriction amend this chapter to add to the ballot pamphlet state voter information guide information regarding candidates or any other information.
SEC. 18.The Legislature finds and declares that this bill furthers the purposes of the Political Reform Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012 of the Government Code.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Oct 3, 2025 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 249, Statutes of 2025. |
| Oct 3, 2025 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 22, 2025 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3182.). |
| Sep 8, 2025 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Sep 8, 2025 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2610.). |
| Aug 28, 2025 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 27, 2025 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Aug 21, 2025 | Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 21, 2025 | From Consent Calendar. |
| Jul 16, 2025 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Jul 15, 2025 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 15). |
| May 21, 2025 | Referred to Com. on E. & C.A. |
| May 13, 2025 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 12, 2025 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 1520.) |
| May 5, 2025 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| May 1, 2025 | Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. |
| Apr 30, 2025 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 30). |
| Mar 17, 2025 | Referred to Com. on ELECTIONS. |
| Mar 11, 2025 | From printer. May be heard in committee April 10. |
| Mar 10, 2025 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
|
Description
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Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2025 | AB 1511 Elections Concurrence in Senate Amendments By PELLERIN | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Sep 8, 2025 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB1511 ELECTIONS (Pellerin) By Cervantes | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jul 15, 2025 | Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments |
Passed |
|
| May 12, 2025 | AB 1511 Elections Consent Calendar Second Day By PELLERIN | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 30, 2025 | Do pass as amended. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Elections |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1511
Author:(Committee on Elections)
As Amended Ver:August 27, 2025
2/3 vote
SUMMARY
Clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. Standardizes the terminology used in the Political Reform Act (PRA) to refer to official election publications. Makes technical changes.
Senate Amendments
Delete two code sections from the bill that proposed technical changes to the PRA. Those code sections are also found in AB 808 (Addis) of the current legislative session, which incorporates the technical changes that were previously proposed by this bill.
COMMENTS
Last year, the Legislature unanimously approved SB 948 (Limón & Zbur), Chapter 125, Statutes of 2024. SB 948 sought to codify prior advice that the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) issued in 2010 (Brown Advice Letter, No. A-09-276). Under that advice, a candidate who raises money for the primary and general elections for one office, but who decides before the primary election not to run for that office, may transfer those campaign contributions to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office, subject to specified restrictions. In an effort to codify that advice, the language of SB 948 made it clear that such transfers were allowed if the candidate did not "file a declaration of candidacy to qualify" for the primary election.
After SB 948 was passed and signed into law, the Legislature approved AB 1784 (Pellerin), Chapter 355, Statutes of 2024. Among other provisions, AB 1784 allowed candidates for elective state office (other than statewide office), for the first time, to withdraw nomination documents (including declarations of candidacy) after filing them for the primary election. Due to the enactment of AB 1784, it is now possible that a candidate for elective state office could file a declaration of candidacy but subsequently withdraw that declaration of candidacy and, as a result, not be a legally qualified candidate for that office at the primary election.
This bill clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. Such transfers would be subject to any relevant campaign contribution limits, and contributions that were transferred would have to be attributed to specific donors in accordance with existing law. This proposal additionally specifies that the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision is to ensure that SB 948 is interpreted consistent with the FPPC's advice in its Brown advice letter.
This bill additionally makes various technical changes to the PRA.
The Senate amendments deleted two code sections from this bill that caused this bill to be in conflict with AB 808 (Addis) of the current legislative session. The technical changes that this bill proposed to the PRA in those two code sections have been incorporated into AB 808. As amended in the Senate, this bill is consistent with prior Assembly actions.
California voters passed an initiative, Proposition 9, in 1974 that created the FPPC and codified significant restrictions and prohibitions on candidates, officeholders, and lobbyists. That initiative is commonly known as the PRA. Amendments to the PRA that are not submitted to the voters, such as those contained in this bill, must further the purposes of the initiative and require a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature.
According to the Author
"This is one of the Assembly Elections Committee's annual omnibus bills, containing various minor, technical, and conforming changes to provisions of the PRA. All provisions contained in this bill address issues identified by Assembly Elections Committee staff."
Arguments in Support
None received.
Arguments in Opposition
None received.
FISCAL COMMENTS
None. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
VOTES:
ASM ELECTIONS: 7-0-0
YES: Pellerin, Macedo, Bennett, Berman, Solache, Stefani, Lackey
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0-2
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
ABS, ABST OR NV: Nguyen, Stefani
UPDATED
VERSION: August 27, 2025
CONSULTANT: Ethan Jones / ELECTIONS / (916) 319-2094 FN: 0001307
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 1511 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1511
Author: Committee on Elections
Amended: 8/27/25 in Senate
Vote: 27
SENATE ELECTIONS & C.A. COMMITTEE: 5-0, 7/15/25
AYES: Cervantes, Choi, Allen, Limón, Umberg
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/12/25 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Political Reform Act of 1974: refunding and transferring contributions: voter information guide
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill clarifies that a candidate who raised money to run for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may use the contributions raised to run for a different office. This bill also makes minor corrections to update statutory language.
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/27/25 resolve chaptering conflicts with AB 808 (Addis).
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Includes the Political Reform Act (PRA), which establishes California’s campaign finance and disclosure laws for state and local campaigns, candidates, officeholders, and ballot measures, and which created the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to implement, administer, and enforce the PRA.
- Specifies that a candidate who receives campaign contributions for an election but does not file to run in the primary election can transfer campaign funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Permits a candidate who has filed for a primary election to withdraw from the race up until the candidate filing deadline for that office. This provision does not apply to anyone running for statewide office.
- Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to mail a state voter information guide to all households in which voters are registered prior to each statewide election, except as specified. The guide must contain information including, among other items, a complete copy of each state measure, arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure, an analysis of each state measure, and candidate statements.
- Requires a county elections official to mail a county voter information guide to each voter in the jurisdiction prior to each election, except as specified. The county voter information guide must contain, among other things, a sample ballot, a notice of in-person voting locations, arguments and rebuttals for and against each local ballot measure, an analysis of each local ballot measure, and candidate statements.
This bill:
- Clarifies that a candidate who withdrew from a primary ballot may still transfer funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Updates the term “ballot pamphlet” where it appears in the PRA to “state voter information guide” or to “county voter information guide,” as appropriate.
- Deletes and corrects minor obsolete language in the PRA.
Comments
Committee Bill. This is one of the Assembly Elections Committee's annual omnibus bills, containing various minor, technical, and conforming changes to provisions of the PRA. All provisions contained in this bill address issues identified by Assembly Elections Committee staff.
Transfers of Campaign Contributions. SB 948 (Limón and Zbur, Chapter 125, Statutes of 2024) sought to codify advice the FPPC provided in 2010 (Brown Advice Letter, No. A-09-276). Under that advice, a candidate who raises money for the primary and general elections for one office, but who decides before the primary election not to run for that office, may transfer those campaign contributions to fund a run for a different office. SB 948 made it clear that such transfers are allowed even if the candidate did not “file a declaration of candidacy to qualify” for the primary election.
After SB 948 was signed into law, the Legislature approved AB 1784 (Pellerin, Chapter 355, Statutes of 2024). AB 1784 allows candidates for elective state office, other than statewide office, to withdraw nomination documents, including declarations of candidacy, after filing them for the primary election. This makes it possible for a candidate for elective state office to file a declaration of candidacy but subsequently withdraw that declaration and, as a result, not be a legally qualified candidate for that office at the primary election.
Late last year, FPPC staff proposed the adoption of a regulation that would have prohibited a candidate from transferring campaign contributions that a candidate raised for a general election if the candidate filed a declaration of candidacy for the primary election but subsequently withdrew that declaration, and so did not appear on the ballot at the primary election. In suggesting this change, FPPC staff pointed to language in SB 948 that allowed transfers of campaign contributions if a candidate did not file a declaration of candidacy. FPPC staff argued that the implication of that language was that a candidate should not be allowed to transfer contributions if the candidate did file a declaration of candidacy, but subsequently withdrew that declaration.
In response to that proposal, the authors of SB 948 sent a letter urging the FPPC not to adopt the proposed regulatory language and noting that it was inconsistent with their legislative intent of codifying the FPPC’s 2010 advice. The letter also pointed out that because AB 1784 became law after SB 948 had been signed into law, “the Legislature did not specifically consider how the candidate transfer rules imposed by SB 948 should apply to candidates withdrawing from a primary election.” At its meeting in January 2025, the FPPC deferred consideration on the regulatory proposal until after this legislative year to see whether the Legislature adopted any statutory changes to clarify the intent of SB 948.
This bill clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. This bill additionally specifies the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision is to ensure that SB 948 is consistent with the FPPC’s Brown advice letter.
Voter Information Guides. Existing state law provides for election officials to prepare voter information guides and to distribute them to voters prior to elections. For statewide elections, the SOS prepares and distributes a state voter information guide. County election officials prepare and distribute county voter information guides, which are tailored to each voter based on the contests that will appear on the voter’s ballot.
State law has used a variety of terms to refer to these official election publications, but prior legislative efforts have standardized the terminology used in the Elections Code. The PRA, however, still uses the outdated terms “ballot pamphlet” and “sample ballot” in a number of locations. The inconsistency can lead to confusion. This bill standardizes the terminology used in the PRA to conform to changes previously made in the Elections Code.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/27/25)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/27/25)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/12/25
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Nguyen, Stefani
Prepared by: Carrie Cornwell / E. & C.A. / (916) 651-4106
8/28/25 17:04:39
**** END ****
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 1511 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1511
Author: Committee on Elections
Amended: 5/1/25 in Assembly
Vote: 27
SENATE ELECTIONS & C.A. COMMITTEE: 5-0, 7/15/25
AYES: Cervantes, Choi, Allen, Limón, Umberg
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/12/25 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Political Reform Act of 1974: refunding and transferring contributions: voter information guide
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill clarifies that a candidate who raised money to run for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may use the contributions raised to run for a different office. This bill also makes minor corrections to update statutory language.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Includes the Political Reform Act (PRA), which establishes California’s campaign finance and disclosure laws for state and local campaigns, candidates, officeholders, and ballot measures, and which created the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to implement, administer, and enforce the PRA.
- Specifies that a candidate who receives campaign contributions for an election but does not file to run in the primary election can transfer campaign funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Permits a candidate who has filed for a primary election to withdraw from the race up until the candidate filing deadline for that office. This provision does not apply to anyone running for statewide office.
- Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to mail a state voter information guide to all households in which voters are registered prior to each statewide election, except as specified. The guide must contain information including, among other items, a complete copy of each state measure, arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure, an analysis of each state measure, and candidate statements.
- Requires a county elections official to mail a county voter information guide to each voter in the jurisdiction prior to each election, except as specified. The county voter information guide must contain, among other things, a sample ballot, a notice of in-person voting locations, arguments and rebuttals for and against each local ballot measure, an analysis of each local ballot measure, and candidate statements.
This bill:
- Clarifies that a candidate who withdrew from a primary ballot may still transfer funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Updates the term “ballot pamphlet” where it appears in the PRA to “state voter information guide” or to “county voter information guide,” as appropriate.
- Deletes and corrects minor obsolete language in the PRA.
Comments
- Committee Bill. This is one of the Assembly Elections Committee's annual omnibus bills, containing various minor, technical, and conforming changes to provisions of the PRA. All provisions contained in this bill address issues identified by Assembly Elections Committee staff.
- Transfers of Campaign Contributions. SB 948 (Limón and Zbur, Chapter 125, Statutes of 2024) sought to codify advice the FPPC provided in 2010 (Brown Advice Letter, No. A-09-276). Under that advice, a candidate who raises money for the primary and general elections for one office, but who decides before the primary election not to run for that office, may transfer those campaign contributions to fund a run for a different office. SB 948 made it clear that such transfers are allowed even if the candidate did not “file a declaration of candidacy to qualify” for the primary election.
After SB 948 was signed into law, the Legislature approved AB 1784 (Pellerin, Chapter 355, Statutes of 2024). AB 1784 allows candidates for elective state office, other than statewide office, to withdraw nomination documents, including declarations of candidacy, after filing them for the primary election. This makes it possible for a candidate for elective state office to file a declaration of candidacy but subsequently withdraw that declaration and, as a result, not be a legally qualified candidate for that office at the primary election.
Late last year, FPPC staff proposed the adoption of a regulation that would have prohibited a candidate from transferring campaign contributions that a candidate raised for a general election if the candidate filed a declaration of candidacy for the primary election but subsequently withdrew that declaration, and so did not appear on the ballot at the primary election. In suggesting this change, FPPC staff pointed to language in SB 948 that allowed transfers of campaign contributions if a candidate did not file a declaration of candidacy. FPPC staff argued that the implication of that language was that a candidate should not be allowed to transfer contributions if the candidate did file a declaration of candidacy, but subsequently withdrew that declaration.
In response to that proposal, the authors of SB 948 sent a letter urging the FPPC not to adopt the proposed regulatory language and noting that it was inconsistent with their legislative intent of codifying the FPPC’s 2010 advice. The letter also pointed out that because AB 1784 became law after SB 948 had been signed into law, “the Legislature did not specifically consider how the candidate transfer rules imposed by SB 948 should apply to candidates withdrawing from a primary election.” At its meeting in January 2025, the FPPC deferred consideration on the regulatory proposal until after this legislative year to see whether the Legislature adopted any statutory changes to clarify the intent of SB 948.
This bill clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. This bill additionally specifies the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision is to ensure that SB 948 is consistent with the FPPC’s Brown advice letter.
- Voter Information Guides. Existing state law provides for election officials to prepare voter information guides and to distribute them to voters prior to elections. For statewide elections, the SOS prepares and distributes a state voter information guide. County election officials prepare and distribute county voter information guides, which are tailored to each voter based on the contests that will appear on the voter’s ballot.
State law has used a variety of terms to refer to these official election publications, but prior legislative efforts have standardized the terminology used in the Elections Code. The PRA, however, still uses the outdated terms “ballot pamphlet” and “sample ballot” in a number of locations. The inconsistency can lead to confusion. This bill standardizes the terminology used in the PRA to conform to changes previously made in the Elections Code.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 7/15/25)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/15/25)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/12/25
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Nguyen, Stefani
Prepared by: Carrie Cornwell / E. & C.A. / (916) 651-4106
8/21/25 16:02:40
**** END ****
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 1511 |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 1511
Author: Committee on Elections
Amended: 5/1/25 in Assembly
Vote: 27
SENATE ELECTIONS & C.A. COMMITTEE: 5-0, 7/15/25
AYES: Cervantes, Choi, Allen, Limón, Umberg
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/12/25 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Political Reform Act of 1974: refunding and transferring contributions: voter information guide
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill clarifies that a candidate who raised money to run for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may use the contributions raised to run for a different office. This bill also makes minor corrections to update statutory language.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Includes the Political Reform Act (PRA), which establishes California’s campaign finance and disclosure laws for state and local campaigns, candidates, officeholders, and ballot measures, and which created the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to implement, administer, and enforce the PRA.
- Specifies that a candidate who receives campaign contributions for an election but does not file to run in the primary election can transfer campaign funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Permits a candidate who has filed for a primary election to withdraw from the race up until the candidate filing deadline for that office. This provision does not apply to anyone running for statewide office.
- Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to mail a state voter information guide to all households in which voters are registered prior to each statewide election, except as specified. The guide must contain information including, among other items, a complete copy of each state measure, arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure, an analysis of each state measure, and candidate statements.
- Requires a county elections official to mail a county voter information guide to each voter in the jurisdiction prior to each election, except as specified. The county voter information guide must contain, among other things, a sample ballot, a notice of in-person voting locations, arguments and rebuttals for and against each local ballot measure, an analysis of each local ballot measure, and candidate statements.
This bill:
- Clarifies that a candidate who withdrew from a primary ballot may still transfer funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Updates the term “ballot pamphlet” where it appears in the PRA to “state voter information guide” or to “county voter information guide,” as appropriate.
- Deletes and corrects minor obsolete language in the PRA.
Comments
- Committee Bill. This is one of the Assembly Elections Committee's annual omnibus bills, containing various minor, technical, and conforming changes to provisions of the PRA. All provisions contained in this bill address issues identified by Assembly Elections Committee staff.
- Transfers of Campaign Contributions. SB 948 (Limón and Zbur, Chapter 125, Statutes of 2024) sought to codify advice the FPPC provided in 2010 (Brown Advice Letter, No. A-09-276). Under that advice, a candidate who raises money for the primary and general elections for one office, but who decides before the primary election not to run for that office, may transfer those campaign contributions to fund a run for a different office. SB 948 made it clear that such transfers are allowed even if the candidate did not “file a declaration of candidacy to qualify” for the primary election.
After SB 948 was signed into law, the Legislature approved AB 1784 (Pellerin, Chapter 355, Statutes of 2024). AB 1784 allows candidates for elective state office, other than statewide office, to withdraw nomination documents, including declarations of candidacy, after filing them for the primary election. This makes it possible for a candidate for elective state office to file a declaration of candidacy but subsequently withdraw that declaration and, as a result, not be a legally qualified candidate for that office at the primary election.
Late last year, FPPC staff proposed the adoption of a regulation that would have prohibited a candidate from transferring campaign contributions that a candidate raised for a general election if the candidate filed a declaration of candidacy for the primary election but subsequently withdrew that declaration, and so did not appear on the ballot at the primary election. In suggesting this change, FPPC staff pointed to language in SB 948 that allowed transfers of campaign contributions if a candidate did not file a declaration of candidacy. FPPC staff argued that the implication of that language was that a candidate should not be allowed to transfer contributions if the candidate did file a declaration of candidacy, but subsequently withdrew that declaration.
In response to that proposal, the authors of SB 948 sent a letter urging the FPPC not to adopt the proposed regulatory language and noting that it was inconsistent with their legislative intent of codifying the FPPC’s 2010 advice. The letter also pointed out that because AB 1784 became law after SB 948 had been signed into law, “the Legislature did not specifically consider how the candidate transfer rules imposed by SB 948 should apply to candidates withdrawing from a primary election.” At its meeting in January 2025, the FPPC deferred consideration on the regulatory proposal until after this legislative year to see whether the Legislature adopted any statutory changes to clarify the intent of SB 948.
This bill clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. This bill additionally specifies the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision is to ensure that SB 948 is consistent with the FPPC’s Brown advice letter.
- Voter Information Guides. Existing state law provides for election officials to prepare voter information guides and to distribute them to voters prior to elections. For statewide elections, the SOS prepares and distributes a state voter information guide. County election officials prepare and distribute county voter information guides, which are tailored to each voter based on the contests that will appear on the voter’s ballot.
State law has used a variety of terms to refer to these official election publications, but prior legislative efforts have standardized the terminology used in the Elections Code. The PRA, however, still uses the outdated terms “ballot pamphlet” and “sample ballot” in a number of locations. The inconsistency can lead to confusion. This bill standardizes the terminology used in the PRA to conform to changes previously made in the Elections Code.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 7/15/25)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/15/25)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/12/25
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Nguyen, Stefani
Prepared by: Carrie Cornwell / E. & C.A. / (916) 651-4106
8/13/25 16:35:43
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
ELECTIONS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair
2025 - 2026 Regular
Bill No: AB Hearing Date: 7/15/25
Author: | |||
Version: | 5/1/25 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | No |
Consultant: | Carrie Cornwell | ||
Subject: Political Reform Act of 1974: refunding and transferring contributions: voter information guide
DIGEST
This bill clarifies that a candidate who raised money to run for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may use the contributions raised to run for a different office. This bill also makes minor corrections to update statutory language.
ANALYSIS
Existing law:
- Includes the Political Reform Act (PRA), which establishes California’s campaign finance and disclosure laws for state and local campaigns, candidates, officeholders, and ballot measures, and which created the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to implement, administer, and enforce the PRA.
- Specifies that a candidate who receives campaign contributions for an election but does not file to run in the primary election can transfer campaign funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Permits a candidate who has filed for a primary election to withdraw from the race up until the candidate filing deadline for that office. This provision does not apply to anyone running for statewide office.
- Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to mail a state voter information guide to all households in which voters are registered prior to each statewide election, except as specified. The guide must contain information including, among other items, a complete copy of each state measure, arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure, an analysis of each state measure, and candidate statements.
- Requires a county elections official to mail a county voter information guide to each voter in the jurisdiction prior to each election, except as specified. The county voter information guide must contain, among other things, a sample ballot, a notice of in-person voting locations, arguments and rebuttals for and against each local ballot measure, an analysis of each local ballot measure, and candidate statements.
This bill:
- Clarifies that a candidate who withdrew from a primary ballot may still transfer funds raised to a campaign committee for the same or different office.
- Updates the term “ballot pamphlet” where it appears in the PRA to “state voter information guide” or to “county voter information guide,” as appropriate.
- Deletes and corrects minor obsolete language in the PRA.
COMMENTS
- Committee Bill. This is one of the Assembly Elections Committee's annual omnibus bills, containing various minor, technical, and conforming changes to provisions of the PRA. All provisions contained in this bill address issues identified by Assembly Elections Committee staff.
- Transfers of Campaign Contributions. SB 948 (Limón and Zbur), Chapter 125, Statutes of 2024, sought to codify advice the FPPC provided in 2010 (Brown Advice Letter, No. A-09-276). Under that advice, a candidate who raises money for the primary and general elections for one office, but who decides before the primary election not to run for that office, may transfer those campaign contributions to fund a run for a different office. SB 948 made it clear that such transfers are allowed even if the candidate did not “file a declaration of candidacy to qualify” for the primary election.
After SB 948 was signed into law, the Legislature approved AB 1784 (Pellerin), Chapter 355, Statutes of 2024. AB 1784 allows candidates for elective state office, other than statewide office, to withdraw nomination documents, including declarations of candidacy, after filing them for the primary election. This makes it possible for a candidate for elective state office to file a declaration of candidacy but subsequently withdraw that declaration and, as a result, not be a legally qualified candidate for that office at the primary election.
Late last year, FPPC staff proposed the adoption of a regulation that would have prohibited a candidate from transferring campaign contributions that a candidate raised for a general election if the candidate filed a declaration of candidacy for the primary election but subsequently withdrew that declaration, and so did not appear on the ballot at the primary election. In suggesting this change, FPPC staff pointed to language in SB 948 that allowed transfers of campaign contributions if a candidate did not file a declaration of candidacy. FPPC staff argued that the implication of that language was that a candidate should not be allowed to transfer contributions if the candidate did file a declaration of candidacy, but subsequently withdrew that declaration.
In response to that proposal, the authors of SB 948 sent a letter urging the FPPC not to adopt the proposed regulatory language and noting that it was inconsistent with their legislative intent of codifying the FPPC’s 2010 advice. The letter also pointed out that because AB 1784 became law after SB 948 had been signed into law, “the Legislature did not specifically consider how the candidate transfer rules imposed by SB 948 should apply to candidates withdrawing from a primary election.” At its meeting in January 2025, the FPPC deferred consideration on the regulatory proposal until after this legislative year to see whether the Legislature adopted any statutory changes to clarify the intent of SB 948.
This bill clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. This bill additionally specifies the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision is to ensure that SB 948 is consistent with the FPPC’s Brown advice letter.
- Voter Information Guides. Existing state law provides for election officials to prepare voter information guides and to distribute them to voters prior to elections. For statewide elections, the SOS prepares and distributes a state voter information guide. County election officials prepare and distribute county voter information guides, which are tailored to each voter based on the contests that will appear on the voter’s ballot.
State law has used a variety of terms to refer to these official election publications, but prior legislative efforts have standardized the terminology used in the Elections Code. The PRA, however, still uses the outdated terms “ballot pamphlet” and “sample ballot” in a number of locations. The inconsistency can lead to confusion. This bill standardizes the terminology used in the PRA to conform to changes previously made in the Elections Code.
PRIOR ACTION
Assembly Floor: | |
Assembly Elections Committee: |
|
POSITIONS
Sponsor: Author
Support: None received
Oppose: None received
-- END --
Date of Hearing: April 30, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS
Gail Pellerin, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1511 (
Author:Committee on Elections) – As Introduced Ver:March 10, 2025
SUBJECT: Voter information guide.
SUMMARY: Clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. Standardizes the terminology used in the Political Reform Act (PRA) to refer to official election publications. Specifically, this bill:
- Provides that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office is not “defeated in the primary election” for that office, and does not “otherwise withdraw from the general election” for that office, if the candidate’s name is not listed on the ballot at the primary election, and the candidate is not qualified to have write-in votes cast on the candidate’s behalf counted by the elections official at the primary election for that office. Specifies that such a candidate may transfer funds to a committee established for the same or a different office subject to any relevant campaign contribution limits, and subject to existing rules requiring the transferred contributions to be attributed to specific contributors. States the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision to ensure that SB 948 (Limón & Zbur), Chapter 125, Statutes of 2024, is interpreted consistent with advice by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) in its Brown Advice Letter No. A-09-276, issued on January 25, 2010.
- Standardizes terms in the PRA used to refer to the county and state voter information guides by deleting the terms "sample ballot," "ballot pamphlet," and "voter information portion of the sample ballot," and replacing them with "state voter information guide" or "county voter information guide," as appropriate.
- Makes technical changes.
EXISTING LAW:
- Creates the FPPC, and makes it responsible for the impartial, effective administration and implementation of the PRA. (Government Code §§83100, 83111)
- Permits a candidate to transfer campaign funds from one controlled committee to a controlled committee for elective state, county, or city office of the same candidate, as specified. Requires contributions transferred pursuant to this provision to be attributed to specific contributors, as specified, and subjects those attributed contributions to relevant campaign contribution limits. (Government Code §85306)
- Permits a candidate for elective state, county, or city office to raise contributions for a general election before the primary election for the same elective state, county, or city office if the candidate sets aside these contributions and uses these contributions for the general election. Provides that if the candidate is defeated in the primary election, or otherwise withdraws from the general election, the general election funds shall be refunded to the contributors on a pro rata basis less any expenses associated with the raising and administration of general election contributions. Provides that a candidate who does not file a declaration of candidacy to qualify for a primary election or special primary election is not “defeated in the primary election or special primary election” and does not “otherwise withdraw from the general election or special general election” for the purposes of these provisions, and is not required to refund contributions pursuant to these provisions. (Government Code §85318)
- Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to mail a state voter information guide to all households in which voters are registered prior to each statewide election, except as specified. (Elections Code §9094) Requires the guide to contain information including, but not limited to, a complete copy of each state measure, arguments and rebuttals for and against each state measure, an analysis of each state measure, a listing of candidates for statewide elective office who voluntarily agreed to abide by specified expenditure limits, and candidate statements prepared by specified candidates for statewide elective office, among other information. (Elections Code §9084; Government Code §§85318, 85600, 88001)
- Requires a county elections official to mail a county voter information guide to each voter in the jurisdiction prior to each election, except as specified. Requires the county voter information guide to contain, among other things, a copy of the official ballot (also known as a “sample ballot”), a notice of in-person voting locations, arguments and rebuttals for and against each local ballot measure, an analysis of each local ballot measure, a listing of candidates for State Senate and Assembly who voluntarily agreed to abide by specified expenditure limits, and candidate statements prepared by specified candidates for office. (Elections Code §§9160-9170, 13300-13307.5; Government Code §§85318, 85600)
FISCAL EFFECT: None. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose of the Bill: This is one of the Assembly Elections Committee's annual omnibus bills, containing various minor, technical, and conforming changes to provisions of the PRA. All provisions contained in this bill address issues identified by Assembly Elections Committee staff.
- Transfers of Campaign Contributions and Previous Legislation: Last year, the Legislature unanimously approved SB 948 (Limón & Zbur), Chapter 125, Statutes of 2024. SB 948 sought to codify prior advice that the FPPC issued in 2010 (Brown Advice Letter, No. A-09-276). Under that advice, a candidate who raises money for the primary and general elections for one office, but who decides before the primary election not to run for that office, may transfer those campaign contributions to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office, subject to specified restrictions. In an effort to codify that advice, the language of SB 948 made it clear that such transfers were allowed if the candidate did not “file a declaration of candidacy to qualify” for the primary election.
After SB 948 was passed and signed into law, the Legislature approved AB 1784 (Pellerin), Chapter 355, Statutes of 2024. Among other provisions, AB 1784 allowed candidates for elective state office (other than statewide office), for the first time, to withdraw nomination documents (including declarations of candidacy) after filing them for the primary election. Due to the enactment of AB 1784, it is now possible that a candidate for elective state office could file a declaration of candidacy but subsequently withdraw that declaration of candidacy and, as a result, not be a legally qualified candidate for that office at the primary election.
Late last year and earlier this year, FPPC staff proposed the adoption of a regulation that would have prohibited a candidate from transferring campaign contributions that a candidate raised for a general election if the candidate filed a declaration of candidacy for the primary election but subsequently withdrew that declaration, and did not appear on the ballot at the primary election. In suggesting that change, FPPC staff pointed to the language in SB 948 that made it clear that transfers of campaign contributions were allowed if a candidate did not file a declaration of candidacy, and argued that the implication of that language was that a candidate should not be allowed to transfer contributions if the candidate did file a declaration of candidacy, but subsequently withdrew that declaration.
In response to that proposal, the authors of SB 948 sent a letter to the FPPC urging them not to adopt the proposed regulatory language, noting that it was inconsistent with their legislative intent of codifying the FPPC’s 2010 advice. The letter also pointed out that because AB 1784 became law after SB 948 had been signed into law, “the Legislature did not specifically consider how the candidate transfer rules imposed by SB 948 should apply to candidates withdrawing from a primary election.” At its meeting in January of this year, the FPPC deferred consideration on the regulatory proposal until after this legislative year to see whether the Legislature adopted any statutory changes to clarify the intent of SB 948.
This bill clarifies that a candidate who has raised money for a candidacy for one office, but who does not run in the primary election for that office, may transfer the campaign contributions raised for the primary and general election to a committee established by the candidate to run for a different office. Such transfers would be subject to any relevant campaign contribution limits, and contributions that were transferred would have to be attributed to specific donors in accordance with existing law. This proposal additionally specifies that the intent of the Legislature in enacting this provision is to ensure that SB 948 is interpreted consistent with the FPPC’s advice in its Brown advice letter.
- Voter Information Guides: Existing state law provides for elections officials to prepare voter information guides and to distribute them to voters prior to elections. These voter information guides contain information about the contests that appear on the ballot, including arguments for and against ballot measures, impartial analyses of ballot measures, candidate statements, and other relevant information. For statewide elections, the SOS prepares and distributes a state voter information guide, includes information that is relevant for all voters statewide, including information about candidates for statewide office and statewide ballot measures. Separately, county elections officials prepare and distribute county voter information guides, which are tailored to each voter based on the contests that will appear on the voter’s ballot.
State law has used a variety of terms to refer to these official election publications, or to sections of information contained therein, which has occasionally created confusion and complicated compliance with the law. Accordingly, prior legislative efforts have standardized the terminology used in the Elections Code to refer to these publications. In particular, AB 2911 (Elections & Redistricting Committee), Chapter 422, Statutes of 2016, deleted the terms "sample ballot," "ballot pamphlet," "voter's pamphlet," "voter pamphlet," "state ballot pamphlet," and "statewide voter pamphlet," from the Elections Code, and replaced them with "state voter information guide" or "county voter information guide," as appropriate, except in very limited circumstances.
The PRA, however, still uses the outdated terms “ballot pamphlet” and “sample ballot” in a number of locations. That inconsistency can lead to confusion. This bill standardizes the terminology used in the PRA to conform to the changes that were previously made in the Elections Code. - Federal Elections Laws and Proposed Amendments: In 2014, the federal Office of the Law Revision Counsel announced that various provisions of federal law relating to voting and elections would be transferred from titles 2 and 42 of the United States (US) Code to a new title 52. The Office of Law Revision Counsel, which is responsible for maintaining and publishing the US Code, reorganized these provisions pursuant to an "editorial reclassification" under which provisions of law are relocated from one place to another in the Code without substantive change. Previous legislation authored by the predecessor to this committee (AB 1536 (Elections & Redistricting Committee), Chapter 732, Statutes of 2015) updated various cross references in the Elections Code to reflect this reorganization of federal laws. The PRA, however, still contains two code sections referencing federal law that have not been updated to reflect the reorganization.
To ensure that the PRA contains up-to-date references to relevant provisions of federal law, committee staff recommends the following amendments to this bill:
Amend the beginning of Section 84217 of the Government Code as follows:
84217. When the Secretary of State receives any campaign statement filed pursuant to the federal Election Campaign Act, (2 U.S.C.A. Section 431 52 U.S.C.A. Section 30101 et seq.) the Secretary of State shall send a copy of the statement to the following officers:
Amend subdivision (a) of Section 84222 of the Government Code as follows:
84222. (a) For purposes of this title, “multipurpose organization” means an organization described in Sections 501(c)(3) to 501(c)(10), inclusive, of the Internal Revenue Code and that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, a federal or out-of-state political organization, a trade association, a professional association, a civic organization, a religious organization, a fraternal society, an educational institution, or any other association or group of persons acting in concert, that is operating for purposes other than making contributions or expenditures. “Multipurpose organization” does not include a business entity, an individual, or a federal candidate’s authorized committee, as defined in Section 431 30101 of Title 2 52 of the United States Code, that is registered and filing reports pursuant to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-225).
- Political Reform Act of 1974: California voters passed an initiative, Proposition 9, in 1974 that created the FPPC and codified significant restrictions and prohibitions on candidates, officeholders, and lobbyists. That initiative is commonly known as the PRA. Amendments to the PRA that are not submitted to the voters, such as those contained in this bill, must further the purposes of the initiative and require a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Ethan Jones / ELECTIONS / (916) 319-2094
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