Elections Committee roundup: multiple bills move forward; consent items pass; several measures set on call

The California Assembly Elections Committee met May 20, 2025 and heard a full agenda that included 15 bills on elections and administration. Committee members approved the consent calendar, advanced several bills as amended, and set other items on call for absent members.

Consent calendar items The committee approved a three‑item consent calendar early in the hearing. The secretary read the consent items — AB 808 (Addis), AB 1029 (Valencia) and AB 1072 (Pellerin) — and the motion to pass them as amended and re‑refer them to the Committee on Appropriations carried with members voting aye on the consent calendar. The motion to move consent was offered by Assemblymember Macedo and seconded by Assemblymember Berman.

Bills advanced with committee action - AB 1164 (Assemblymember Ransom) — The bill clarifies when voters are entitled to replacement ballots and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language. The Secretary of State supported the measure; the League of Women Voters testified in support. The committee passed AB 1164 as amended and re‑referred it to the Committee on Appropriations (roll call recorded, motion passed).

- AB 1286 (Assemblymember Burner) — The Public Employment Transparency Act would require disclosure of arrangements for prospective employment on the FPPC Form 700. The chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission testified in support. The committee passed the bill as amended and re‑referred it to the Committee on Appropriations.

- AB 16 (Assemblymember Alanis) — The bill cleans up code provisions allowing election officials to process vote‑by‑mail ballots earlier and modernizes outdated hand‑tally language. The committee approved AB 16 as amended and sent it to Appropriations.

- AB 116 (Assemblymember Berman) — The measure to allow eligible applicants to register online by uploading a signature image (OVR Plus) was advanced as amended and re‑referred to Appropriations. The Secretary of State said the office does not currently have the software to accept high‑quality signature images and highlighted potential costs; the author agreed to work with the office on technical issues.

- AB 919 (Assemblymember Lowenthal) — The bill permits a holder of power of attorney for an individual with cognitive impairment to request confidential voter status for that individual to prevent predatory campaign solicitations. The committee passed AB 919 and re‑referred it to Appropriations; members signaled willingness to refine language with disability advocates and the Secretary of State’s office.

- AB 141 (Assemblymember Soria) — Establishes an independent citizens’ redistricting commission in Merced County. The bill drew praise from community groups and concern from the Merced County Board of Supervisors about cost and local control. Committee amendments narrowed the commission structure; the committee passed the bill as amended and re‑referred it to Local Government. (Vote recorded; the item was put on call while absent members were reached.)

- AB 5 (Assemblymember Berman) — Sets an expectation that the vast majority of ballots be counted by the 10th day after an election, while still allowing extensions for unforeseen problems. The committee passed AB 5 and re‑referred it to Appropriations. Supporters said the clear timetable would improve public understanding; some members emphasized care to protect ballot‑curing and accuracy.

Other items and procedural outcomes - AB 1249 (Assemblymember Wilson) — The bill would require non‑Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) counties to offer at least one early voting location on the Saturday before statewide elections and would streamline in‑person mail‑ballot returns. The Secretary of State sponsored the bill. The committee heard extended conversation about envelopes and verification processes and ultimately put the item on call so absent members could be reached.

- AB 1214 (Assemblymember Patterson) — The author sought to shorten the timeline for counting and certifying results (compressing parts of the current 30‑day certification window). Committee members expressed concern about accuracy and county resources. The motion initially failed and subsequently was granted reconsideration for further review.

- Other bills on the agenda (including AB 1370, AB 1286, AB 1116 and others) were debated or advanced with committee amendments as noted in the hearing record. Several measures included commitments to work with the Secretary of State, county registrars and disability advocates on technical fixes before floor consideration.

Why it matters The hearing covered a broad set of election‑administration issues: access to early in‑person voting, voter registration modernization, disclosures for public officials, protections for voters with cognitive impairment, and deadlines and transparency around ballot counting. Many bills will now move to committees with jurisdiction over funding (Appropriations) or local government; several authors promised further technical work with the Secretary of State and county election officials.

Next steps Bills re‑referred to Appropriations will be considered under that committee’s schedule; items put “on call” or granted reconsideration will return for final committee action when absent members have voted or sponsors make agreed changes.