Elections committee advances five election‑related bills; AB 19 93 fails
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Summary
The Assembly Elections Committee advanced AB 17 88 (nonprofit travel disclosure), AB 15 60 (bar on lobbyists convicted of public corruption), AB 15 39 (ballot eligibility certification), AB 19 19 (Santa Cruz Metro election procedures), and AB 15 62 (optional draft‑style poll‑worker program); AB 19 93 failed 2–6 after debate.
The California State Assembly Elections Committee moved several election‑related measures forward on March 25, sending most to the Committee on Appropriations or the appropriate policy committee while rejecting AB 19 93 (a ballot‑envelope privacy measure).
Key committee actions and short descriptions:
AB 17 88 (Berner) — Passed as amended and re‑referred to Appropriations. The bill tightens disclosure requirements for nonprofit‑funded travel for elected officials by removing a one‑third threshold and applying existing dollar‑based reporting (Form 807) when nonprofits spend more than $10,000 annually on qualifying travel or $5,000 for a single official. Adam Silver, chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission, testified in strong support, saying the change would increase transparency of sponsored travel.
AB 15 60 (Tonya Pop) — Passed and re‑referred to Appropriations. The bill would bar individuals convicted of public corruption from lobbying the legislature. Supporters argued it is a modest accountability measure; the Secretary of State’s representative said the office has implementation concerns about how convictions would be reported to the agency and expects to propose amendments.
AB 15 39 (Protect Our Democracy Act) — Passed as amended and re‑referred to Appropriations. The author said the bill requires party representatives to certify, under penalty of perjury, that presidential and vice‑presidential nominees meet eligibility requirements in the 12th and 20th Amendments. Supporters said the measure clarifies existing constitutional rules and bolsters ballot integrity.
AB 19 19 (Pellerin) — Passed and re‑ferred to the Committee on Local Government (6–2). The bill clarifies how voters may place a special tax measure for the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District on the ballot; testimony warned that one‑time funding of $28,300,000 is ending in 2026 and that failure to secure a revenue option could lead to service cuts and layoffs.
AB 15 62 (Jackson) — Passed (7–1). The measure authorizes counties to adopt an optional draft‑style system to randomly select residents to serve as poll workers, modeled on practices used in some Nebraska counties. Supporters said it could broaden civic participation and recruit new poll workers; critics warned about diverting resources and urged guardrails to ensure nonpartisan implementation.
Votes at a glance (committee results): AB 17 88 — passed as amended (referred to Appropriations); AB 15 60 — passed (referred to Appropriations); AB 15 39 — passed as amended (referred to Appropriations); AB 19 19 — passed and referred to Local Government (6–2); AB 15 62 — passed (7–1); AB 19 93 — failed in committee (2–6).
The committee left roll calls open to allow absent members to sign on to some measures and adjourned after completing the agenda.