Measure to increase transparency in statewide appointments passes committee

The Assembly Governmental Organizations Committee on June 25, 2025, voted to pass a measure related to transparency in statewide appointments after supporters said it will provide visibility into the makeup of boards and commissions.

Senator Limon, the bill sponsor, opened the presentation and yielded time to witnesses. Carol Gonzalez, speaking for Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), said the measure builds on prior efforts and “advance[s] transparency in statewide appointments” by expanding reporting to include legislative appointments and other appointment entities. Gonzalez added the goal is to ensure “visibility both to the makeup of these statewide boards and commissions and the appointment entities that create them.”

Advocates from the Campaign for College Opportunity, Equality California, the Chicana Latina Foundation, LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics), AAPI Equity Alliance, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Asian Americans Advancing Justice—Southern California, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls offered public support during the hearing.

Members of the committee expressed broad support. Assemblymember Davies said the bill promotes “accountability to unelected offices and boards.” Multiple members asked to be added as coauthors and praised the bill’s repeat introduction, noting prior iterations reached the governor’s desk. Assemblymember Alvarez suggested reconsidering an extended implementation timeline and indicated support for a more expedited schedule if amendments are offered.

The committee record alternately refers to the measure as “SB 702” and “AB 702” and to Senator Limon as the sponsor; the hearing transcript contains inconsistent bill-type labels. The committee motion on the record routed the item to the Assembly Judiciary Committee; the roll call on the record shows affirmative votes sufficient to advance the measure. The committee left the roll open to allow absent members to add their names.

Votes at the committee: the clerk recorded a roll call on the measure referenced in the record as “AB702 Limon” and announced the motion as “do pass to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.” The roll call recorded multiple aye votes and the chair announced the bill had 20 votes with two members absent at the time the count was summarized on the record.

The measure’s supporters said the reporting will track representation and encourage outreach to communities underrepresented on state boards and commissions. Committee members emphasized the bill’s potential to improve “good governance” and representation at the state level.

The committee did not identify a statutory citation or implementation date on the transcript beyond members’ references to prior iterations and to having adjusted an implementation deadline in the current draft. The hearing record does not specify funding sources or enforcement mechanics.

The committee advanced the measure to the next committee shown in the record.