Senate committee clears SB 852 tightening rules on campaign contributions in district offices

The Senate Elections Committee voted unanimously to pass SB 852, a committee-sponsored bill that makes technical changes to state law and adds a prohibition on accepting campaign contributions in a legislative district office or a local government office.

Senator Cervantes presented SB 852 as the committee bill and described its provisions as “non-controversial but important.” Cervantes told the committee the measure includes a prohibition on accepting campaign contributions in a legislative district office and several technical updates designed to clarify existing law.

No witnesses registered formal opposition during the hearing on SB 852, and no substantive amendments were offered on the committee floor. The committee recorded a 5-0 vote to concur in Assembly amendments and pass the bill out of committee.

Committee clerks recorded the roll as recorded votes in the hearing: Senators Cervantes, Choi, Allen, Limon and Umberg voted yes, producing a 5-0 tally. The committee chair noted the measure would proceed following committee action.

The transcript does not provide detailed text of each technical change beyond the prohibition on contributions in district offices. The committee characterized the provisions as technical in nature and asked for an “I” (aye) vote. The clerk announced the bill as passed out of committee 5-0.

SB 852 now proceeds to the next appropriate committee or floor action consistent with the chamber’s calendar and the committee’s referral process.